Extramarks Youth Football Championship in Partnership with Arsenal F.C. Concludes at Emirates Stadium, London
The Extramarks Youth Football Championship (YFC) in partnership with Arsenal F.C. concluded with a spectacular final at the Emirates Stadium, London, the esteemed home ground of the club, on June 2nd. YFC brought together over 4900 school students from across India to compete in the biggest Pan-Indian inter-school tournament. The event marked the culmination of a journey that began in September 2022, empowering young students beyond the classroom and providing them with an international-level football experience. The event was graced by the legendary Arsenal Player, Kelly Smith, and the chief mentor of YFC, Bhaichung Bhutia.
The YFC tournament journey comprised of three phases: Qualifier Matches from November 2022 through February 2023 Pan-India, the Zonal finals in Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru, semi-finals in Goa in April, and the Finals at Emirates Stadium in London in June. Delhi Public School Bangalore North, Bengaluru, claimed the prestigious title in the girls’ match, while Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, emerged as the victorious boys’ team. The last leg of the tournament witnessed competition between the top-performing teams who emerged victorious from a pool of over 550 schools across 50+ cities in India during the qualifiers phase.
Sudheer Devaraja, Head of Sports Department, Delhi Public School Bangalore North, said “We would like to thank Extramarks Youth Football Championship for giving us this great opportunity of being in London and playing at the esteemed Emirates Stadium. It was a wonderful experience for the students. This is the first time we have come abroad and played in the finals. We are proud to have represented our city and school here. I would also like to thank our school for the unconditional support that helped our team throughout our journey.”
Amit Verma, Coach, Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, said “We would like to thank YFC for letting us be a part of this prestigious tournament. After playing multiple rounds in Haldwani, New Delhi, and Goa, being here for the finals in London feels unreal. Winning the Extramarks Youth Football Championship is a dream come true for us. We would like to thank the organizers of YFC for their immense support through this journey.”
In the semi-finals held on April 5th in Goa, Delhi Public School, Bangalore North, and Navrachana Higher Secondary School, Vadodara secured their place in the girls’ final, while Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, and Padma Ratna English School, Kakching advanced to the boys’ final. The tournament, which began its U-15 registration process in September 2022, has witnessed an extraordinary journey of determination and skill.
The Extramarks Youth Football Championship has reflected immense potential and passion for football in India, paving the way for a promising future of the sport and inspiring a new generation of exceptional young talent.