NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today inaugurated newly upgraded facilities at the Sudeva Football Academy, a state-of-the-art residential football facility dedicated to training India’s next generation of footballers. This milestone was made possible with the generous funding and support from Hindalco, the flagship metals company of the Aditya Birla Group.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr Satish Pai, Managing Director at Hindalco Industries Limited, Mr Sunil Bajaj, Director of the CAD Group at the Aditya Birla Group, Shri Surya Prakash Khatri, Member of Legislative Assembly along with Sudeva Football Academy’s leadership including MR Anuj Gupta and several promising young footballers. The new and enhanced infrastructure is a significant boost for youth football development, providing young athletes with world-class resources to hone their skills.
The new facilities, which include a FIFA Pro turf, will help elevate the standard of football training in India, providing young talent with top-notch infrastructure and coaching.
Comments from the Chief Minister
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded the collaborative efforts between the government and the corporate sector to promote sports in India.
“It is a pleasure to see the continuous progress of sports in India under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Chief Minister Gupta said during the inauguration. “When the government and the public work together, 100% results are achieved. The inauguration of this football ground, developed through public-private partnership, is a testament to this cooperation”.
She added, “I am inspired by the young players here and am confident that with such excellent facilities and training, our team can reach new heights, including the World Cup”.
A long-standing partnership for grassroots sports
This inauguration is the latest development in the long-standing partnership between the Aditya Birla Group and Sudeva Delhi FC. In July 2024, Hindalco’s Managing Director, Satish Pai, and Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi inaugurated the new FIFA Pro turf, highlighting the company’s commitment to developing a robust sports infrastructure at the grassroots level. The company has consistently contributed through its CSR initiatives to nurture young talent and foster community development through sports. During the ceremony, Mr Satish Pai, Managing Director at Hindalco Industries Limited said, “At Hindalco, through the Aditya Birla Group, we are proud to support the Sudeva Football Club as part of our commitment to public social responsibility. While we’ve long invested in health, education, and women’s welfare, we now recognize the power of sports—especially football—as a vehicle for change. Grassroots initiatives like Sudeva are where dreams begin. By nurturing talent from a young age, we lay the foundation for India’s future on the global stage.”
Nurturing talent for a brighter future
The upgraded facilities will support Sudeva’s mission to produce elite football talent and provide a structured pathway for young athletes to succeed at a professional level. By offering state-of-the-art training facilities and a nurturing environment, the academy is shaping the future of Indian football and helping young athletes realize their potential.