FC Barcelona to Open Soccer School in India

One of the most prolific clubs in European football, Spanish giant FC Barcelona announced the launch of its official football school FCBEscola in India, with the first center slated to come up in Delhi NCR. It’s being set up in association with Conscient Football, FC Barcelona’s partner in India.

While there is no confirmation of the proposed timeline of operations, the school will certainly be in operation within this calendar year, according to a Conscient Football spokesperson.

The school will have a capacity of 300–360 players in the age group of 6–14 and will have permanent FC Barcelona staff stationed in the Indian Capital to run the operations. While the details are being worked out, the program is expected to be based on the globally-run programs by FCBEscola, which are intensive and regular after-school programs.

Clubs which have shown keen interest in India, and the huge market it offers given its young population, include the English biggies like Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. However, Barcelona, with this announcement, becomes the first European club to set up its official soccer school in India. There are further plans to open similar centers in major cities in the near future, and then moving into smaller towns and cities, from where the majority of India's footballing talent comes from.