Elite Football Academy Continues Legacy of Nurturing Top Talent
Key Points:
– 28 cadets from 7 states graduate from Tata Football Academy
– TFA alumnus and AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey attends as Guest of Honor
– Academy boasts 49% of graduates representing India in football
JAMSHEDPUR – The Tata Football Academy (TFA) marked a significant milestone with its 15th Convocation Ceremony held at the Kudy Mohanty Auditorium in Kadma, showcasing its ongoing commitment to developing football talent in India.
The ceremony honored 28 graduating cadets from seven different states, highlighting TFA’s wide-reaching impact on Indian football.
Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice-president of corporate services at Tata Steel and TFA Chairman, presided over the event as the chief guest.
In his address, Chaudhary emphasized Tata Steel’s dedication to sports development, stating, "At Tata Steel, we live by the motto that sports is a way of life."
"We’re actively exploring avenues to increase women’s participation in sports and continue fostering growth in the field," he added.
The event was graced by the presence of Kalyan Chaubey, a TFA alumnus who now serves as the President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Reflecting on his journey, Chaubey remarked, "Being part of TFA’s inaugural batch in 1995 and witnessing the 15th convocation today is truly special."
"The academy’s ability to produce top-tier talent remains undiminished, continuing to shape the future of Indian football," he added.
Mukul Choudhari, Chief of Sports at Tata Steel, shared impressive statistics about TFA’s impact:
|
TFA Impact |
Statistics |
|
Total graduates |
303 |
|
Represented India |
149 (49%) |
|
Captained national team |
24 |
|
Current ISL players |
16 |
Recent achievements of TFA cadets include:
-
Two cadets representing Jharkhand in the Santosh Trophy
-
Two cadets joining Jamshedpur FC for Durand Cup 2024
-
Ten cadets playing for Jharkhand in the Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship
-
Sonam Tsewang Lhokham representing India in the SAFF U20 Championship
The graduating class of 28 cadets comprises:
-
4 Goalkeepers
-
12 Defenders
-
9 Midfielders
-
3 Forwards
Bivan Jyoti Laskar was honored with the prestigious Best Gentleman Cadet award, recognizing his exceptional performance and character during his time at the academy.
"TFA’s role in shaping Indian football cannot be overstated," said Ghulam Rabbani, secretary of the Jharkhand Football Association, who attended the ceremony.
"The consistent production of top-tier talent from this institution has significantly elevated the standard of football across the country."
As these young athletes embark on their professional careers, they carry with them the legacy of an institution that has been instrumental in shaping Indian football since its inception in 1987.
