Rural Players to Get International Opportunities Through ‘Maha-Deva’ Initiative – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra’s ‘Maha-Deva’ Football Program Strengthened

Actor Tiger Shroff appointed brand ambassador for five years.

Mumbai, Nov 2025 : The state government is implementing the ‘Maha-Deva’ football initiative to provide players from rural and tribal areas with opportunities to prove themselves at the international level. This initiative will offer a global platform to talented players from rural regions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Varsha, the official residence of the Chief Minister, in the presence of CM Fadnavis. The agreement was signed between the School Education and Sports Department, the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), and actor Tiger Shroff. On this occasion, Sukhraj Nahar donated ₹1 crore to the Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF).

Present at the event were Additional Chief Secretary (Sports) Sanjay Khandare, MITRA CEO Pravin Pardeshi, Joint CEO Aman Mittal, Deputy Secretary (Sports) Sunil Pandhare, actor Tiger Shroff, and Nahar Group founder and chairman Sukhraj Nahar.

The ambitious ‘Maha-Deva’ Football Talent Development Initiative has received a significant boost, with Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff agreeing to serve as its brand ambassador for five years. The ‘Maha-Deva’ program aims to identify football talent among boys and girls in the state and support their overall development. Through WIFA’s scouting network, 30 boys and 30 girls from across Maharashtra will be selected and provided with technical training, academic support, and international exposure.

MITRA also plans to bring global football superstar Lionel Messi on board for the initiative, which would elevate the program to a prominent international level.

Tiger Shroff will participate in awareness activities, promotional material, public events, and digital campaigns related to the initiative. All promotional content will be released only after his prior approval.

With the government, MITRA, and Tiger Shroff coming together with the shared goal of giving a new direction to football culture in Maharashtra, young footballers across the state are set to receive new opportunities, support, and inspiration.