Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Rudraksh Bansal, a Class 9 student at Glendale Academy, Suncity, has been selected for the prestigious AIFF FIFA Football Academy in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He is the only student from Telangana among just 19 players chosen from across India, following five rigorous selection rounds.

The AIFF FIFA Academy, established under FIFA’s Goal Project, is a national initiative to identify and nurture India’s top young football talent, with the long-term goal of preparing players for international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup.

Minu Salooja, Director of Glendale Schools India, expressed pride in Rudraksh’s achievement, stating, ‘His selection is a testament to his grit, discipline, and passion. It marks a proud moment for Glendale and reflects our commitment to nurturing global talent.’ Rudraksh follows in the footsteps of Glendale alumnus Shaliyanth Reddy, currently associated with FC Bayern Munich. 

Rudraksh shared, ‘Being selected is a dream come true. Representing Telangana and being among the top 19 is an incredible honour. The journey was tough, but every challenge helped shape me. I’m thankful to my coaches, mentors, and especially Glendale for supporting my dream.’