Focusing on the grassroots as part of football development, the Maharashtra government has launched the ambitious “Project Mahadeva”. Supported by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, this programme is targeted at under-13 boys and girls in a bid to develop future stars through a structured long-term pathway. Trained scouts spanned the entire state — including remote districts like Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, and Chandrapur — to ensure every talent was tapped. From this search, 30 boys and 30 girls were selected, and they will receive a five-year full scholarship covering professional coaching, academic support, equipment, nutrition and mental conditioning. Significantly, these 60 athletes will also get a chance to train directly under global icon Lionel Messi, when he visits India later this month, at the GOAT Football Clinic. Here are a few stories of football-crazy girls and boys living their dream.
Himani Rawat is growing steadily in the sport with quiet confidence and determination. Her interest in the sport began in 2021, when she watched her first match – a state league game that opened a new world for her. That moment made her imagine herself on the field, running with the ball, creating chances, and being part of a team. Since then, football has become an important part of her life. Himani’s parents have played a big role in her journey. Her father is a PT teacher and her mother a homemaker. “My parents used to make me work really hard and take training from me,” she says. Her selection for the scholarship programme has been an important moment for her. She says, “It is very good for me and my parents.” It gives her better training, a good environment, and opportunities she did not have earlier. Himani plays as a right-winger, a position that suits her speed, energy and willingness to help teammates. She enjoys moving down the flank, making runs, and supporting the attack. Every training session and match helps her learn more about the game and gives her more confidence. And if she ever met Lionel Messi, the one question she would ask is: “How does he dribble?”
‘My fireman father pushed me’
Aaradhya Doifode, 13, Amravati
Aaradhya Doifode has a strong commitment to the sport. Her interest in football began the day she watched her first match — an India vs Pakistan game. The intensity of that match stayed with her and sparked the dream of playing football herself. From that moment, the sport became something she wanted to pursue seriously. Aaradhya’s family has also played a big role in her journey. Her father is a fireman, and her mother is a housewife. She says she wasn’t interested in taking up the sport at first, but it was her father who pushed her towards the sport. “My father put me in football and told me to play for India and to grow. If I said I didn’t want to play, he would tell me to play well and have a goal.” Receiving the scholarship programme has been a major step forward for her. “Coaches are very helpful about our football. I get a homely feeling here,” she said. For Aaradhya, the scholarship is more than a programme – it is a place where she feels supported, encouraged, and safe to grow. Her biggest inspiration is Cristiano Ronaldo, whose discipline and determination she admires. She watches how he pushes himself every day and hopes to bring the same attitude to her own training. If she met Lionel Messi, the question she would ask him is: “How much did you struggle to play for your country?”
‘My uncle told me I should be a defender’
Shrusti Singh, 13, Nagpur
Shrusti Singh is a 13-year-old footballer from Nagpur who is already showing strong potential in the sport. She plays with confidence, energy, and a clear understanding of what she wants to achieve. Her selection for the prestigious sports scholarship has been a major turning point. She is grateful for it because it provides her with structured training, better facilities, and an environment where she can grow both as an athlete and as a person. Shrusti’s family have played an important role in her journey. Her mother is a housewife, and her father is a transporter. She says she has received a lot of support, especially from her uncle, Hemant Singh, who is also a football coach. He was aware of what it takes for a young footballer to make it big. As a coach he also had an eye to spot the talent in her. Shrusti says, “My uncle supported me a lot. He told me to choose the defender position because I am strong.” Her dream is firm and simple: she wants to play for India. Being selected for the scholarship programme has only strengthened her determination, and she calls it a “very big opportunity”. Her idols, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sunil Chhetri, inspire her daily. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t wait for the day when she will have a chance to meet Messi.
Reyansh (L), Ishaan (centre) and Aaradhy are among the 30 boys who will receive five-year full scholarship covering professional coaching, academic support, equipment, nutrition and mental conditioning under Project Mahadeva. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)
‘Messi’s calmness inspires me’
Ishaan Banerji, 13, Pune
Story continues below this ad
Ishaan Banerji developed an interest in the sport from a very young age. His love for football began when he was six or seven years old, watching matches on TV with his father. Those moments slowly turned into curiosity, then excitement, and finally into a serious passion. He doesn’t clearly remember the first match he ever watched, but recalls enjoying the game so much that he wanted to start playing himself. His family has always supported him. His father, a retired software engineer, and his mother, a tuition teacher, have encouraged him at every step. Ishaan says, “They support me. They never stop me. They always say yes to whatever I ask.” Ishaan plays as a centre-back, and over time, has learned to enjoy defending, reading the game and helping his team stay organised. His biggest football idol is Lionel Messi, whose skill, calmness, and creativity inspire him. Messi’s journey motivates him to work hard and improve every day. The scholarship he has received is a major opportunity for him. He appreciates the programme deeply, saying it offers five years of good football, strong players, free stay, food, and schooling – everything a young athlete needs to grow. Ishaan is excited about the future and especially thrilled at the chance of meeting Messi. The question he would ask him is simple: “How does he play so well?”
‘This is a great opportunity for me’
Reyansh Gandhi, 13, Nagpur
Reyansh Gandhi has already shown strong interest and discipline in the sport. His journey in football began in a simple, natural way – by watching older students play on the school ground. He found the game exciting and decided to try it himself. Once he started playing, he enjoyed it so much that, as he says, “I never stopped.” Reyansh’s family has supported him throughout. His father owns a factory that makes cardboard boxes and paper tubes, and his mother is a school teacher. They encourage him fully, always telling him to follow what makes him happy. “They say ‘go for it… whatever you want to do, just be happy,’” he says. Reyansh plays as a left-back, a position that requires discipline, awareness, and confidence. His football inspiration is Lionel Messi, simply because, in his words, “He’s just the best.” Messi’s technique, calmness, and quality motivate him to improve every day. The scholarship he has received is very important to him. He calls it a “very good opportunity” and appreciates the facilities – turf grounds, grass grounds, and good training conditions. Reyansh is excited about the possibility of meeting Messi. The question he would ask him is: “How does he deal with the pressure at the highest level?”
‘My mother supports me wherever I go’
Aaradhy Chougale, 13, Kolhapur
Story continues below this ad
Aaradhy Chougale has already shown strong determination and resilience at a young age. Before football entered his life, he was a swimmer. His journey changed directions when his family encouraged him to try the Beautiful Game. He decided to give it a chance – and since he made the switch has not looked back. Aaradhy’s family background has been his strength. His father has passed away, and his mother is a homemaker. Despite the challenges, his mother supports him fully “wherever I go.” Aaradhy says his family always felt football was a “good game,” and that support helped him grow. One of Aaradhy’s early breakthroughs came when he was invited to play in Gujarat. That match was special for him, not only because it was his first major outing but also because he won there. His performance opened further opportunities and eventually brought him into the scholarship programme. Aaradhy says he likes it here and feels comfortable in the environment. The young player is thrilled with the “very good” facilities he currently has access to, viewing them as a great chance to develop his career and eventually play for India. His biggest football inspiration is his uncle, while his favourite player is Lionel Messi, whose game he deeply admires.