The first day of the three-day national trials of News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses, a TV9 network initiative to promote football, ended on a spectacular note at the Khanikar Stadium in Dibrugarh. The Dibrugarh trials phase is the final national selection phase of a massive grassroots scouting campaign, spread across several states in India.

More than 38,000 children from across the country participated in the initial round of the selection process. After several rounds of screening and regional trials, around 300 young football players have now been selected to compete in the three-day National Trials to be held in Dibrugarh, Assam. From this highly competitive group, only 25 players will finally be selected to go to Germany, where they will receive football training and experience with special facilities and will also represent India on the international stage.

Assam government cooperated

The trials in Assam have been possible with the strong support of the Assam government, including the support of the state sports administration and encouragement from the office of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The initiative also received support from the Assam Sports Authority and the Sports Special Secretary, which made possible the large-scale organization and infrastructural support for the event. The News9 Indian Tigers & Tigresses initiative has also established partnerships with several state governments and football bodies across India, including collaboration with football associations and sports authorities of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab and Ladakh Football Association, reflecting the national scale of the project.

football fever in dibrugarh

The first day of the trials at the Khanikar Stadium witnessed high-intensity practices, match simulations, technical assessments and fitness assessments as the coaches took a close look at the selected players competing for a place in the final 25. Several senior dignitaries including Dibrugarh District Commissioner Bikram Carey, Dibrugarh CRPF (Operations) DIG Prabhakar Tripathi and Dibrugarh District Sports Officer Sami Saika were present on the first day of the trials. His presence highlighted the importance of this initiative in promoting sports and youth development at the grassroots level.

He interacted with the organizers and players.

Trial under the supervision of experienced coaching staff

The trials are being conducted under the supervision of an experienced coaching staff, including head coach Karma, who stressed the competitive nature of the selection process and the importance of identifying players with both technical skills and mental toughness. The News9 Indian Tigers & Tigresses initiative is presented by Srinidhi University, with Ramaiah University acting as associate sponsor, creating a pathway for young footballers to gain exposure at the international level. With tough competition, high enthusiasm from the players and strong institutional support, the first day of the National Trials in Dibrugarh has set the stage for the remaining days of selection as hundreds of young footballers compete for the opportunity to represent India on the global stage in Germany.

The first season was successful with the blessings of Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a historic farewell to the country's top young footballers selected in the first session of the football talent search program at the 'What India Thinks Today 2025' (WITT 2025) Global Summit held in New Delhi. This global summit, organized by India's largest news network TV9, was held in March 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. After a successful tour of Europe, the young footballers were welcomed back home by Honorable Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at the Austrian Embassy and Austrian Ambassador to India Katharina Visser.