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LaLiga in partnership with India On Track sets roadmap for football school development program
Mumbai: LaLiga in partnership with India On Track has announced a new ‘Development Program’ under LaLiga India’s focal grassroots development project, LaLiga Football Schools ( LLFS) that brings together the best players across LLFS centers in Mumbai. LLFS celebrates five years in India this year and will provide elite Under 13 & Under 15 players with advance training under this program. The program will also setup the first ‘Goalkeeper School’ and provide LLFS players the opportunities to play in official competitions. In the future, the program will be converted into a development center.
Starting from February, LLFS will begin their new development program at Wings Sports Turf, Bandra. Overseen by the technical director of LaLiga, the program will be instructed by four licensed coaches for two age-category teams: Under 13 & Under 15. The target is to replicate the Mumbai model across LLFS in India and hold open trials to attract talent across the nation. The Development program team will participate in this season’s MDFA second Division League and other official competitions.
Speaking on the development, LaLiga Football Schools technical director India Miguel Casal said, “Strong grassroots & youth setups are the foundation of any football program. Through the LLFS initiative we have aimed to develop technically sound players in India, by providing them with access to global resources. The vision for the ‘Development Program’ is to build on the work done by LLFS since 2018, while providing elite players with advanced training for their growth. With player growth continuing to be at the center of LLFS, the upgraded program is an extension of our vision for India.”
On Track India founder & CEO Vivek Sethia added “The LaLiga Football School project has grown exponentially since 2018. The impact of the new development program will look to further strengthen LaLiga’s vision of developing talent in India and positively contributing to its football development. By expanding the program’s impact to include specialized training schools & more game time to the players, we are confident in the identification of talent & in the scalability of the program.”
One of India’s leading sports management companies, India On track focuses on positively impacting India’s sporting narrative through grassroots initiatives fueled by technical expertise. Partnering with LaLiga Football Schools, they locally connect global leaders in the football ecosystem, with an aim to provide the next generation of Indian talent a platform for growth.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
