New Delhi: Three Indian footballers, along with two other players, will train at Old Trafford in Manchester after winning the fourth edition of United We Play (UWP), a grassroots-level football initiative. They will now head to Manchester United’s iconic Old Trafford for a once-in-a-lifetime training experience. The event was organized by Apollo Tyres in collaboration with Manchester United. This season’s UWP program saw over 15,000 aspiring footballers from across 18 cities.
The initiative aims to nurture grassroots football talent and provide young players with the opportunity to sharpen their skills and gain exposure to global training techniques. The grand finale took place in Chandigarh where Manchester United legend Gary Neville widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in football history was present to crown the winners.
Gary Neville is a Red and he’s in Chandigarh, India! 🇮🇳🔴 pic.twitter.com/vtDG6qfXbl
— Tilak Gaurang Shah (@TilakS710) October 18, 2024
After a competitive showcase of talent, five young footballers stood out from the crowd- PC Lalchhuanawma from Mizoram, Shreejal Kisku from Bhubaneswar, Mohd Ayan from Lucknow, Bhakta Bahadur Pariyar from Nepal, and Chanason Chaiyatham from Bangkok.
These young players have earned the incredible opportunity to train at Old Trafford under the watchful eyes of the Manchester United Soccer School coaches and meet the club legends.
The UWP initiative is designed not only to inspire young footballers to pursue their passion but also to introduce them to world-class training methods. The selected players will get a first-hand experience of what is likely to be a part of the Manchester United setup. Their visit to Old Trafford will include a match-day experience, training sessions with club coaches, and interactions with legendary figures associated with the club.
Gary Neville who spent almost two decades at Manchester United and won eight Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies shared his excitement during the event. “It’s fantastic to see the passion and dedication of these young players. The memories they will create at Old Trafford will last a lifetime,” he remarked praising the participants’ hard work and resilience.
The fourth edition of United We Play was officially launched in Kolkata last December, with former Manchester United and French footballer Louis Saha inaugurating the program. United We Play continues to be a significant platform for promoting football in India and with programs like this young players are being provided with the right tools and opportunities to develop their talents and dream big in the sport.
