Hyderabad introduces India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls
India’s first FIFA Talent Academy for girls was launched in Hyderabad after the AIFF and the Government of Telangana signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2nd August on Saturday during the first Telangana Sports Conclave at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri A Revanth Reddy, was present to grace the occasion, along with AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey and Principal Secretary of I&C and IT, Government of Telangana, Shri Jayesh Ranjan, in the presence of eminent dignitaries, sports leaders, and policymakers. The initiative is a key component of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS) and will help provide elite training to talented footballers who have been scouted from various parts of the country, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive and structured grassroots development. The academy will be located at the Gachibowli Stadium Complex in Hyderabad and will offer year-round high-performance training, with residential facilities, education, medical care, nutrition, and mental wellness to 60 elite players – 30 boys (U14) and 30 girls (U16), including 10 players from Telangana in each category. AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey said, This academy will not only groom elite athletes but also inspire a generation of footballers who can dream of representing India at the highest levels. It is a proud day for Indian football and a strong step forward towards our goal of qualifying for the U17 men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups.” AIFF will lead the operations, technical framework, talent scouting, and training curriculum in coordination with FIFA. The Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) will oversee infrastructure, logistics, education, financial, and welfare support.
Messi faces a hamstring injury and is doubtful for Miami’s next match
Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury during his side’s Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa. Messi was injured in the eighth minute of the game when he fell to a challenge by a pair of defenders near the penalty area. His team went on to win the game in penalty shootouts. The 38-year-old Argentine walked back towards the bench before sitting down on the pitch. Trainers came out and worked on his right upper thigh area before he subbed out in the 11th minute. Javier Mascherano, the team coach, spoke about the forward’s injury after the game. He said that Messi wasn’t necessarily in pain, but had felt a pull. He indicated Messi would be examined on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury. “There’s probably something there,” Mascherano said. Inter Miami take on Pumas UNAM on 7th August for the Leagues Cup group stage match, meaning the next game is four days away. Depending on the severity of the injury, Messi could either be part of the lineup or out of the squad. For Grade 1 hamstring injuries, one might feel better in less than a week, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Given the kind of medical care star athletes like Messi have access to, if his injury is not that serious, he could well be back on his feet for the UNAM soccer match. Grade 2 and 3 injuries take longer to heal from, likely several months. However, given that Messi could make it back to the bench on his own feet and didn’t need a stretcher or assistance in particular, indicates that the injury might not be that serious, since he was able to put some pressure on his feet.
Marta’s brilliance steers Brazil to clinch the Copa America Femenina
Six-time world player of the year Marta came off the bench to score twice, including an equalizer in stoppage time, as Brazil came from behind three times before winning the penalty shootout 5-4 against Colombia on Saturday to secure its ninth Copa America Femenina title. The 39-year-old Marta entered the match in the 82nd minute and scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to level for Brazil at 3-3, before scoring again in extra time to put the Brazilians in front for the first time in the match. Leicy Santos scored in the 115th minute to bring Colombia back level at 4-4 as the match went to a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Lorena Da Silva then saved two penalty kicks in the shootout to clinch Brazil’s fifth title in a row at the continental championships, and beat Colombia for the fourth time in the past five finals. Marta, who has played in six World Cups and six Olympics, has 122 goals in 206 games with Brazil. Angelina Alonso in the 45th and Amanda Gutierres in the 80th also scored for the Brazil team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, losing to the United States in the final. Gutierrez scored her sixth goal of the tournament to finish as the top scorer alongside Paraguay’s Claudia Martinez. Linda Caicedo in the 25th, Mayra Ramirez in the 88th, and Santos scored for Colombia. The Colombians also had an own goal by Brazil defender Tarciane in the 69th as it took the lead three times before being pegged back in an extraordinary final.
