In a significant boost for Indian grassroots football, Chennaiyin FC’s Under-12 team is ready to represent the nation on the global stage at the prestigious Norwich City Mina Cup in the UK. The tournament, taking place on October 12 and 13 at Norwich City FC’s state-of-the-art training facility, will feature top youth talent from 16 elite teams, including global football giants like Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Borussia Dortmund.
Chennaiyin FC’s participation shows the club’s commitment to grassroots development and its robust partnership with Norwich City FC. This collaboration aims to provide young talent with pathways for growth and exposure, both domestically and internationally. As the sole Indian club in the tournament, Chennaiyin FC’s U-12 side will have a unique opportunity to test their skills against some of the world’s best academies.
“The Norwich City Mina Cup UK offers an outstanding platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, and we are excited to send this promising Chennaiyin FC team to compete against some of the world’s top clubs. We are grateful to Norwich City FC for this opportunity and are eager to continue strengthening our partnership,” commented Ekansh Gupta, Vice President of Chennaiyin FC.
The nine-a-side tournament is particularly significant as it serves as the only UK qualifying event for the 2025 Mina Cup, one of the world’s most renowned youth football competitions. Sam Jeffery, Commercial Director of Norwich City FC, welcomed the collaboration, stating, “We’re proud to host Chennaiyin FC at this tournament. Our partnership with Chennaiyin is not superficial; hosting matches like Chennaiyin vs. Liverpool and Inter Milan shows our commitment to fostering young talent.”
Chennaiyin FC has been drawn in Group 4, where they will face tough competition against Liverpool (England), Inter Milan (Italy), and Empire Football Club (UAE). The format ensures every team plays eight matches, with group stage games determining progression to either the Gold or Silver Cup. The tournament promises invaluable experience and development for Chennaiyin’s young players.
The 15-member Chennaiyin squad, accompanied by their coaching staff, flew out to England on Wednesday. Their matches will be available for Indian fans to follow on JioCinema, providing a chance for supporters to witness these young talents compete on a global stage.
This international exposure not only offers these players a chance to improve but also sets a precedent for future Indian footballers aiming for success on the global stage.
Chennaiyin FC U-12 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Seram Ronaldo Meitei, Mohamed Nabil
Defenders: Rohit Tenshubam, Ningthoujam Thouba Singh, Abheer Hemant Jadhav, J Ryan Fabio, Ishan, Hitaansh Dipesh
Midfielders: Punshiba Ningombam, Meet Yogesh Satpute, Prakhar Dhar Khatri, Yaikhomba Oinam, W Lydian Mardona
Attackers: Nepolian Laikhuram, Uziyan Susai
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