Premier League Trains Coaches in Mumbai to Boost Grassroots Football

The Premier League held its second NEXTGEN Coach programme in Mumbai from October 10 to 13, 2026. Over four days, 34 coaches from the OSCAR Foundation gathered at the Cooperage Football Ground to work on improving grassroots football in India. The sessions brought together international community coaches from the Premier League and Indian coach educators who previously graduated from the Premier League Primary Stars programme. This effort is part of a long-term commitment to supporting the growth of the sport across the country.

What began as a tournament pairing Premier League Academy teams with Indian youth squads has grown into a broader coach-development initiative. The NEXTGEN programme now focuses on sharing practical knowledge and hands-on experience with community coaches. Participants spent time both in the classroom and on the field, building the skills and confidence needed to create safe, inclusive, and enjoyable football environments for the children in their local communities.

These efforts are part of a larger community football strategy in India that the Premier League has maintained for nearly two decades. To date, the league has reached over 164,000 young people across 18 states by training more than 7,500 coaches, referees, and educators. This work was further anchored in April 2025 with the opening of a Premier League office in Mumbai, allowing for deeper engagement with the local football ecosystem through outreach and professional development.

The four-day event finished with a NEXTGEN Football Festival, where more than 80 students aged 10 to 14 from the OSCAR Foundation took part in sessions run by the newly trained coaches. This festival gave the participants a chance to put their new coaching techniques into practice immediately with young players.

Hrishikesh Shend, Managing Director of Premier League India, noted that supporting grassroots football is a central part of the league's presence in India. He said, "investing in local coaches significantly enhances the quality of football coaching available to youth."

The final showcase featured the Premier League Trophy and was attended by several guests, including Jonathan Reynolds, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Science, Innovation and Trade, and mayors from the Northern region of the UK. The visitors spoke about how football serves as a bridge between cultures and highlighted the shared passion the sport creates. Through these ongoing partnerships, the Premier League continues to strengthen its ties with Indian communities and provide new opportunities for young people through sport.