British PM Keir Starmer Lauds Premier League's Grassroot Efforts in India

Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has praised the Premier League for its dedication to nurturing grassroots football in India through a Community Coach Development Programme held in Mumbai.

The three-day initiative is at the heart of the league's broader week-long fan and community engagement activities in India. This marks a significant milestone following the opening of its Mumbai office earlier this year.

In collaboration with the British Council, coaches from the Premier League, alongside Brentford and Newcastle United, conducted the programme. They offered expert training to 30 community coaches, aiming to broaden football access throughout the country.

The event concluded with a showcase at Cooperage Football Ground in Mumbai.

Here, the newly trained community coaches applied their skills with 80 children from the Oscar Foundation, demonstrating how the programme empowers local leaders to motivate the next generation through football.

Special guests included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Premier League legend Michael Owen, who engaged with the coaches and young players.

Starmer expressed, “I’m hugely proud of our national sport -- it brings communities together and changes lives.”

“That’s why the Premier League’s training programme in India is so impressive -- not only is it one of our most successful exports, but it’s training the game’s future coaches, inspiring young people, and showing the world what British sport can do.”

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