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South United FC opens three training centres
Mumbai: South United Football Club (SUFC), the country’s only profitable private club whose first team plays in the Bengaluru super division currently, has officially announced the opening of three training centres in Pune, intending to bolster the rich footballing culture of the city and make it a hub for the sport in Western India. These three centres of the South United Football Academy that have already begun their enrolment process are based out of Undri, Bavdhan and Kharadi, in the city of Pune, providing FIFA-Grade state-of-the-art facilities to identify and nurture budding talent from the city and also from other parts of Maharashtra.
These centres will provide an opportunity for people from all age groups to build a community around the sport. The club, which is well established in Bengaluru with their FIFA-standard facility in Ulsoor, has chosen Pune as their first port of call as they begin to act on their expansion plans.
Speaking on the development, South United Sports Foundation sporting director Terrence Phelan said, “SUFC’s aim has always been to develop a structure for grassroots football in India, which we believe we have done quite successfully in Bengaluru. We want to replicate the same success in Pune. We know that the city and some surrounding regions have a rich tradition of football and we want to help the talent here realise their potential, while at the same time give everyone a feeling of community at our centres and academies subsequently. We are excited about Pune’s future in football.”
SUFC will provide demo sessions at their centres on 14, 21, and 28 of January, to give a glimpse of the activities that the club will provide at the centres. This will also allow upcoming talent not only from Pune but also from other footballing hotbeds of Maharashtra like Kolhapur, Mumbai, Sangli etc.
They have partnered with Ileseum Clubs in the three centres. The centres in Bavdhan and Kharadi have an 11-a-side pitch while Undri will have a 7-a-side pitch. SUFC will run their Elite Programme, which will provide free training to talented kids, enabling free coaching for selected talent from June in Bavdhan and Kharadi only.
SUFC CEO Pranav Trehan said, “We have chosen Pune strategically for our first step of expansion. Pune has a very good football culture and SUFC will provide a space for all football lovers to come together and be active around the sport. The youth programmes in our academies is the perfect step for young kids to take the next step in the sport. With our state of the art infrastructure and development programmes focusing on grassroots development, we are sure that SUFC can make Pune the footballing hub of Western India.”
SUFC’s dedication extends beyond its training programmes. The Academy actively participates in community outreach and development initiatives. These efforts ensure that football reaches every corner of society, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds and the club aims to provide such a community feeling in Pune also.
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.
