The event featured a range of exciting attractions and activities for attendees of all ages, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both players and spectators.

In the competition, teams from Pune dominated, securing four out of the five titles across various age categories. The tournament saw young players from SUFC’s Bengaluru and Pune centres compete against each other, with Pune teams taking the top honours in the Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 categories. SUFC Pillars from Bengaluru claimed the Under-17 title. In addition to their team victories, players from Pune also excelled individually, taking home the majority of the tournament's personal awards.

With over 250 young footballers participating from both cities, the event highlighted SUFC’s dedication to grassroots football development and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of football players.

Individual Award Winners:
Under-9
• Best Goalkeeper: Agastya Suresh (Bengaluru)
• Best Player: Ekam Singh (Pune)
• Emerging Players: Austin Loriggio (Bengaluru), Norah Gupta (Pune)
• Emerging Coaches: Riyan Yadgiri (Pune), Naveen Kumar (Bengaluru)

Under-11
• Best Goalkeeper: Arhatva Dongre (Pune)
• Best Player: Avyukt Nandi (Pune)
• Emerging Players: Kabir Dhoot (Pune), Shanaya (Bengaluru)
• Emerging Coaches: Pratiksha Devang (Pune), Umashankar (Bengaluru)

Under-13
• Best Goalkeeper: Diyan Goyal (Pune)
• Best Player: Jayden Joseph (Bengaluru)
• Emerging Player: Deliza Unwala (Bengaluru)
• Emerging Coaches: Prabuddha Gaikwad (Pune), Aditi P. Jadhav (Bengaluru)

Under-15
• Best Goalkeeper: Siddharth Gupta (Bengaluru)
• Best Player: Arpit Mishra (Pune)
• Emerging Coaches: Mohsin Abdulla Tamboli (Pune), Siddharth Mishra (Bengaluru)

Under-17
• Best Player: Harshith S.V (Bengaluru)

Commenting on SUFC’s initiative, Terry Phelan, Sporting Director of South United Sports Foundation, said, “The thought process around this tournament was to bring all our teams to Bengaluru and provide them with an experience of such an Inter-City Tournament. I believe that the players, coaches, and parents had fun here, which has been our commitment. We are trying to grow the game at the grassroots level and help players progress in the game. Our growth over the last few years has been immense, and we are now even building a Residential Academy in the heart of Bangalore. It’s been absolutely brilliant to see and be part of it.”

The tournament also offered enriching experiences beyond the competition, including a meet-and-greet with Terry Phelan and interactions with SUFC’s Senior Team players. Participants had the opportunity to attend an Indian Super League (ISL) match between Bengaluru FC and Mohammedan SC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on January 11, making for an unforgettable weekend.
“I believe the last two days have been truly memorable for both the teams and the staff,” Terry added. “The thing that stands out the most is that it has been both enjoyable and a valuable learning experience.”

The event also served as a scouting platform for SUFC’s new Residential Academy Programme, which aims to provide world-class facilities and holistic training to bridge the gap between grassroots and professional football. This initiative offers a clear pathway for players to progress in their football careers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed at higher levels.

About South United Football Club:

South United Football Club made its debut in the I-League Second Division in 2012, marking the start of our journey. Since then, the club has consistently delivered impressive performances in Karnataka's football landscape, demonstrating our dedication to nurturing local players and supporting young athletes.

Contact:
South United Football Club
Phone: +91 9819109480
Email: [email protected]

For more information about South United Football Club, visit www.sufcindia.com.