Chennaiyin FC's Under-12 Team To Represent India At Norwich City Mina Cup

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Chennaiyin FC's Under-12 team is set to make a remarkable appearance at the Norwich City Mina Cup UK, showcasing India's burgeoning talent in grassroots football. This event, scheduled for October 12 and 13, will be held at the top-tier training facilities of Norwich City FC in England.

It's a significant stage that brings together young footballing talents from across the globe, including powerhouses like Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Inter Milan among others. The participation of Chennaiyin FC's young squad in this international tournament underscores the club's commitment to nurturing football from the ground up.

Moreover, it highlights the solid partnership between Chennaiyin FC and Norwich City FC, aimed at fostering mutual growth and creating opportunities for development in football. This collaboration is a testament to their shared vision of promoting football talents and enhancing their abilities on an international scale.

Chennaiyin FC's involvement in this prestigious event marks it as the lone Indian club to compete against some of the world's most renowned football clubs. This presents the young players with a golden opportunity to gain international exposure, challenge themselves against top-tier talent, and further develop their footballing skills.

The tournament is not just a platform for competition but also a learning experience for the budding footballers, allowing them to showcase their prowess on a global stage.

Club vice president Ekansh Gupta expressed enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, "The Norwich City Mina Cup UK offers an outstanding platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, and we are excited to send this promising Chennaiyin FC team to compete against some of the world's top clubs.

"We are grateful to Norwich City FC for this opportunity and are eager to continue strengthening our partnership in all areas moving forward."

A 15-member team, along with their coaches, embarked on their journey to England, ready to represent India and display their skills against formidable opponents.

The tournament, being the sole UK qualifier for the 2025 Mina Cup, is a significant event in the youth football calendar and is anticipated to be a cornerstone for future football champions.

Norwich City FC's Commercial Director, Sam Jeffery, shared his excitement about hosting Chennaiyin FC, "We're really excited to be launching the first iteration of our flagship academy tournament, which will feature some of the biggest clubs in World football, not least Arsenal, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

"It's with great pride that we welcome Chennaiyin FC to Norwich to participate in the tournament and offer their Academy players a truly unique experience. When we announced our partnership with Chennaiyin we were very clear that this wouldn't be a superficial partnership, and we hope hosting Chennaiyin vs Liverpool and Inter Milan is proof of our commitment."

The tournament's structure ensures that every team gets ample playtime and opportunities for development. Initially, the teams are divided into four groups, with Chennaiyin FC placed in Group 4 alongside Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Empire Football Club from the UAE.

Following the group stage, teams advance to either the Gold or Silver Cup, depending on their performance, ensuring each team plays eight matches. This format promises comprehensive exposure and growth for all participants.

Fans back home can catch the highlights of Chennaiyin FC's matches on JioCinema, staying updated with the team's progress throughout the tournament.

Chennaiyin FC Under-12 Squad For Norwich City Mina Cup 2024

• Goalkeepers: Seram Ronaldo Meitei and Mohamed Nabil
• Defenders: Rohit Tenshubam, Ningthoujam Thouba Singh, Abheer Hemant Jadhav, J Ryan Fabio, Ishan and Hitaansh Dipesh
• Midfielders: Punshiba Ningombam, Meet Yogesh Satpute, Prakhar Dhar Khatri, Yaikhomba Oinam, W Lydian Mardona
• Attackers: Nepolian Laikhuram and Uziyan Susai