In a significant move to revolutionize football at the grassroots level, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched the ambitious 'Maha-Deva' initiative that promises to transform the sports landscape across schools in the state.
Bollywood Star Joins Football Revolution
The initiative gained star power with Bollywood actor and fitness icon Tiger Shroff being appointed as the brand ambassador for the program. The MoU signing ceremony held on Monday, November 17, 2025 saw the actor lending his support to this groundbreaking effort aimed at strengthening football foundations from the school level upward.
The formal agreement was signed between the School Education & Sports Department of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), with CM Fadnavis presiding over the ceremony that marks a new chapter in the state's sports development strategy.
Comprehensive Talent Development Program
The Maha-Deva initiative is designed as a comprehensive program that will overhaul sports infrastructure, modernize training ecosystems, and identify emerging football talent across schools in Maharashtra. This represents one of the most significant steps taken by the state government to nurture young athletes systematically.
In a detailed post on social media platform X, CM Fadnavis emphasized the rural focus of the program, stating: "The 'Maha-Deva' initiative creates an opportunity for athletes from rural areas to perform on the international stage."
The program specifically aims to identify football talent among both boys and girls across the state and ensure their holistic development. Through the Western India Football Association's (WIFA) scouting network, the initiative will select 30 boys and 30 girls from Maharashtra who will receive specialized training and support.
International Exposure for Young Talent
The selected young athletes will benefit from a comprehensive support system that includes:
- Technical training by qualified coaches
- Educational support to balance academics and sports
- International-level exposure through tournaments and training camps
- Infrastructure development across participating schools
The primary objective of the Maha-Deva program is to offer these young players complete growth opportunities that could potentially lead them to represent India on international platforms. This initiative comes as part of the state government's broader vision to make Maharashtra a hub for football talent development.
With Tiger Shroff's involvement as brand ambassador, the program gains significant visibility among the youth, potentially inspiring more students to take up football seriously. The actor, known for his athletic prowess and dedication to fitness, brings substantial credibility to the initiative.
The launch of Maha-Deva represents a strategic investment in the future of Indian football, focusing on systematic talent identification and development from the school level, which could potentially change the sports landscape in Maharashtra and beyond.
