Under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Government of Maharashtra inaugurated the state-level sports initiative ‘Project Mahadeva’ in Mumbai yesterday.

 

 

‘Project Mahadeva’ is being implemented with the participation of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF), Western India Football Association (WIFA), CIDCO, and the Sports Department of the Government of Maharashtra.

 

 

The project was inaugurated at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday in the presence of Global football icon Lionel Messi, former Argentine players Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, popular Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri, Indian football team captain Rahul Bheke, along with many other dignitaries.

 

 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described ‘Project Mahadeva’ as an important initiative launched to identify football talent under 13 years of age and to develop high-quality football players in the state.

 

 

Under this initiative, scholarships, world-class training from foreign coaches, and opportunities for holistic development will be provided.

 

 

The most iconic moment of the event was when the football legend Lionel Messi presented his signed Argentina jersey to Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, which became a symbol of mutual respect between two influential football players.