Jonas Olsson presenting the Supercoach jersey to Deepak Kumar.

Khel Today Bureau

Lucknow: Supercoach, a leading football coaching platform developed by Supersports International, has partnered with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to implement “The Game Changer Project” pioneering grassroots football development program across the state. 

This collaboration aims to transform the way football is introduced and nurtured in primary schools, focusing on talent identification, coach education, and player development. The initiative is poised to make Uttar Pradesh a center for football excellence in India, impacting over 27000 primary schools and around 1.35 crore children.

The Supercoach App, a flagship product of Supersports International, draws inspiration from Sweden’s IF Brommapojkarna’s (BP) academy, one of Europe’s largest talent development factories. BP has produced international footballers such as Dejan Kulusevski,

Albin Ekdal, John Guidetti, Viktor Gyökeres and Lucas Bergvall. The App empowers coaches with over 1,200 football exercises, tailored for all age groups, and aims to simplify football coaching from the grassroots level up to professional academies.

This initiative aligns with Supercoach’s vision of creating a collaborative environment where grassroots football programs can seamlessly connect with top academies, fostering a talent pipeline that can produce professional players. With the support of the Uttar Pradesh Government, this project will provide a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills, while creating opportunities for career progression in football, either as players or as coaches.

The Game Changer Project

This collaboration falls under the Game Changer Project, which aims to address some of the most pressing challenges faced by Indian youth. Football is the world’s most-watched sport,

with over 4.2 billion fans globally. It has proven to be a powerful tool for youth development, skill-building, and social inclusion. In India, where many communities face economic hardships, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to skill-development programs, football can provide a unique opportunity to engage and uplift children and young people.

The Game Changer Project will focus on transforming primary schools in Uttar Pradesh into grassroots football development centers. These centers will serve as training hubs where players are nurtured and coached using the same methodologies that have proven successful in European academies. The project will also train PE teachers to use the Supercoach App, ensuring a standardized and consistent approach to football development across the state.

Impact Areas

The collaboration between Supercoach and the Uttar Pradesh Government is designed to have a wide-reaching impact in several key areas:

Grassroots Football Development: Establishing football programs in primary schools will foster talent development at a young age, ensuring players are introduced to structured training early.

Skill-Set Development: Coaches and referees will be trained to enhance their technical and tactical understanding of the game, creating a better learning environment for players.

Socio-Cultural Inclusion: Football will be used as a tool for life-skills education, promoting teamwork, discipline, and social cohesion among children from diverse backgrounds.

Pathways to Professional Careers: Through the collaboration, young players and coaches will have access to structured career pathways, allowing them to progress into professional football or other roles such as coaching and officiating.

Physical and Academic Development: Research shows that physically active children tend to perform better academically. By promoting football in schools, this initiative also aims to enhance academic performance and overall well-being.

Project Phase1

Phase 1: The phase 1 has already been rolled out where the team trained PE teachers in primary schools across Uttar Pradesh using the Supercoach App. The Supercoach team has already covered 5 Districts (Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Jhansi, Meerut) and organised a 2 day Workshop at every district in the round 1. It also included a 2 day visit of 3 schools per day at every district in round where the team engaged with almost 200+ PETs and coaches.

Phase 2: Qualified career coaches will work alongside PE teachers to further enhance football training at the grassroots level.

Phase 3: Senior players will be identified, trained, and recruited as beginner coaches, assisting with the coaching of junior and cadet categories.

Phase 4: Football leagues and tournaments will be organized at sub-district, district, and regional levels, with the best players being scouted for national competitions and potentially international opportunities. 

Long-Term Vision

Supercoach’s long-term goal is to build a sustainable grassroots football program in India, with Uttar Pradesh as the starting point. By establishing football development centers in primary schools, the project aims to reach over 1.35 crore children annually, providing equal opportunities to players from both urban and rural areas. Through the use of the Supercoach App, football training will be standardized, creating a clear pathway for player development that aligns with international best practices.

Statements

Jonas Olsson, Country Manager of Supercoach, expressed his excitement about the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to bring the Supercoach App to schools across the state. This project is not just about football; it’s about creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, confidence, and a love for the game that can change their lives. We believe that with the right coaching and support, we can help India’s next generation of footballers reach their full potential.”

Deepak Kumar, President, School Games Federation of India and Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh added: “This partnership with Supercoach aligns perfectly with our mission to promote sports and physical education in schools. We are committed to providing children with the tools and opportunities they need to excel, both on and off the field. This initiative will play a crucial role in fostering football talent in Uttar Pradesh and could pave the way for India’s future football stars.”

About Supercoach

Supercoach is one of the innovative products of Supersports International, alongside Superplayer, Supercamp, and Supercenter. The platform is designed to make football coaching easy and accessible for all levels, from grassroots programs to top academies, with a focus on developing both players and coaches.