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Minerva Academy Football Club based out of Mohali, Punjab has been recommended for the prestigious Rashtirya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2020 under the category Identification and Nurturing of Budding Talent by Government of Punjab, Government of Haryana and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
- Minerva Academy Football Club is owned and founded by Mr. Ranjit Bajaj who himself represented India at the U-19 level in the Asian School games. He has played in the most prestigious football tournaments in the country including the Santosh trophy and Durand Cup as well as various Junior Nationals.
- Bajaj was pained by the lack of opportunities in the entire northern region. He set up the Club and Academy in 2014 to revive sports (especially football) in the region in an effort to steer kids away from the streets, crime and drugs towards a rewarding career in sports.
- The entire set up is self funded by Mr. Bajaj who has made it his personal mission to provide kids from all backgrounds the best opportunities and facilities possible so that they are able to secure their own future and help the country excel in sports.
- Other than nurturing and identifying players, Minerva provides employment to more than 60 professionals from sports industry in various fields like coaches, teachers, administrative staff, operations staff, medical, injury prevention & management, sports science, sports psychology, video analysis, scouting etc.
Minerva Residential Football Academy
- The Academy houses more than 160 trainees across U-9 to U-18 age groups year round.
- The trainees are identified and nurtured after extensive all India open trials are are inducted into the football training program with full scholarships.
- The Academy is spread out over 20 acres campus located in Mohali. The Academy campus provides unparalleled facilities and infrastructure including 2 full size football fields, 6 small sided games fields, hostels, mess, gymnasium, swimming pool, physiotherapy & wellness clinic, basketball court, auditorium, classrooms and much more.
- All identified children are given 100% scholarships. The Academy provides for all the trainees’ needs year round including training, accommodation, diet, schooling, medical needs, equipment & kits, transportation etc. at no cost to the trainees.
- The trainees of the Academy make up the Junior and age group teams of Minerva FC. They participate in various regional and all India tournaments like AIFF U-13, U-15 and U-18 leagues, Subrorto Cup, Reliance Sports Foundation and many more.
- The Minerva Residential Football Academy is known as one of the best in the country, and is a direct feeder academy for National teams of all age groups. The Academy has supplied more than 49 individual players and 172 selections for various age group India teams in the last five years.
- Minerva’s junior teams comprising of Academy trainees has produced fantastic results, winning all the following trophies and many others;
- Champions AIFF U-15 Youth League 2015-16
- Champions AIFF U-15 Youth League 2016-17
- Champions AIFF U-13 Youth League 2017-18
- Champions AIFF U-15 Youth League 2017-18
- Champions AIFF U-18 Youth League 2018-19
- Champions AIFF U-15 Youth League 2018-19
Minerva Academy Football Club- Professional Senior Team
- The professional senior football team Minerva Academy (Punjab) FC participate in the I-League which is top division football league in the country organised yearly by AIFF (All India Football Federation)
- In 2015, Minerva’s senior side won the Chandigarh state championship and was nominated for entry into the National 2nd Division League.
- Minerva finished runner’s up in the debut 2015-16 season in the 2nd Division league and were promoted to the I-League, which is the top tier of football in India operated by AIFF (All India Football Federation)
- In 2017-18 Minerva FC won the Hero I-League bringing back the national football trophy to North India and Punjab after 21 years and once again reviving the former sporting glory of the region.
- In 2018-19 Minerva FC represented India in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Qualifiers held in Iran and in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup group stage against teams from Bangladesh and Nepal.
- Within four short years, Minerva FC rose from a semi-professional football club to one of the best professional clubs of India, having an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian ranking of 102 behind only Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin FC from India.
Minerva Academy Cricket Club
- Minerva Academy Cricket Club which offers youngsters to showcase their talents in the top club competitions of the country from where they are often spotted by State Ranji Teams, IPL teams or called up for
- Minerva Academy cricket Cup is among the top 10 professional cricket clubs in the country.
Achievements of Identified and nurtured kids;
- India Selections
The Academy has supplied more than 49 individual players and 172 selections for various age group India teams in the last five years. - ThounaojamJeakson Singh
Academy product Thounaojam Jeakson Singh scored for India against Columbia in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 and brought the whole country to it’s feet in cheer! - Anwar Ali
Academy product Anwar Ali scored for India against Argentina U-20 national team with a beautiful free kick which stunned the opposition. - Nongdamba Naorem
Academy product Nongdamba Naorem scored a beautiful goal in the I-League playing for Indian Arrows against Shillong Lajong dibbling past five defenders to score what was voted as the goal of the season. - Arjun Sharma
Academy product Arjun Sharma won the Golden Boot in the Mission XI Million endeavour OORJA CAPF U-19 Football Hunt Tournament 2017.
- Himanshu Jangra
Academy product Himanshu Jangra became the highest scorer to help India twin the SAFF U-15 Championship 2019.
Last date for applications for the Award is June 22, 2020.
A special committee shall be set up to take a decision on the winners of the prestigious national award under various categories. Decisions are likely to be announced within 2-3 weeks after the last date of nominations.
Minerva Academy Football Club owner and founder Ranjit Bajaj said, “I am delighted that Minerva Academy Football Club has been nominated for the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2020. We have always believed in working sincerely towards our goals irrespective of getting the due recognition or not. It is an honour just to be nominated for the prestigious national award, and I hope we will be selected as the deserving recipients of the same.”
