Overview
- The celebrity-friendly match was held on December 5 at Mumbai’s Cooperage Stadium, where Tiger Shroff led Team Orange after warm-up drills with shortlisted players.
- Project Mahadeva, launched under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, develops U-13 boys and girls through statewide scouting and training with coaches from WIFA and the ISL system.
- A group of 120 finalists has been training daily in Mumbai since November 27 as selectors narrow the field to 60 recipients.
- The selected 60 will receive five-year residential scholarships from the Maharashtra government, with awards and a special clinic featuring Lionel Messi scheduled for December 14.
- The initiative sets a long-term target of placing at least five Maharashtra players in India’s 2034 FIFA World Cup squad.