Inauguration of ‘Project Maha-Deva’ State-Level Scouting Final Round

A Key Initiative to Strengthen the Foundation of Football in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Nov 2025 : The state-level final round of scouting under Project Maha-Deva was inaugurated at the Cooperage Football Ground in the prominent presence of Mitra’s Chief Executive Officer, Pravin Pardeshi. This project, launched with the objective of strengthening the foundation of football in Maharashtra, entered a crucial phase with its formal commencement on Friday.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Project Maha-Deva is being implemented to promote the development of football across the state, especially in rural areas. The project aims to identify talented players, provide them with training, guidance, and the necessary support for their advancement. From the selection process that began at the village level, 120 talented footballers from across the state have made it to the final state-level trials of Project Maha-Deva. Through this final phase, the top 30 boys and 30 girls in Maharashtra will now be selected.

The 60 selected footballers will be awarded a special five-year scholarship by the Government of Maharashtra. In addition, these young athletes will have the unique opportunity to receive training from world-renowned footballer Lionel Messi on December 14.

The event was attended by Mitra CEO Pravin Pardeshi, WIFA Vice President Maloji Raje Chhatrapati, Mitra Deputy CEO Aman Mittal, Sports Department Deputy Secretary Sunil Pandhare, Navnath Fadtare, UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Maharashtra Head Sanjay Singh, and VSTF Deputy CEO Dilipsingh Bayas, along with Got Tour Promoter Sattadur Datta.

It was highlighted that as India aims to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2034, the Maharashtra Government and the Sports Department are making focused efforts to ensure that at least five players in the national team come from Maharashtra. Project Maha-Deva, implemented with the collaboration of the Sports Department, Mitra, WIFA, VSTF, and other institutions, is emerging as a decisive initiative that will provide global-level platforms to football-loving youth across the state.