Ace FC and Kickstart FA Win Grassroot Development League Titles in Panvel and Uran
The +1 Grassroot Development League 2026 youth football tournament, organised by the Venom Sports Football Academy, has successfully concluded in the Panvel and Uran areas. Held in memory of Vijaya Haribhau Pote and Haribhau Narayan Pote, the competitive sporting event was designed to provide a platform for emerging young football players from both rural and urban areas to showcase their talent and gain valuable match experience.
In the tournament's competitive divisions, Ace FC and Kickstart FA secured the top honors. In the Under-10 category, Ace FC emerged as the tournament champions after delivering an impressive performance in the final match, while Venom FA finished as the runners-up. Meanwhile, in the Under-8 category, Kickstart FA clinched the championship title, with Ace FC securing the runners-up position.
The closing ceremony of the league was attended by several local dignitaries, including Panvel Municipal Corporation corporator Sumit Zunjarrao. Uran-based entrepreneurs Deepak Thakur, Raj Thakur, and Manas Thakur were also in attendance at the event, alongside Venom Sports Football Academy coach Tanmay. The attending dignitaries congratulated the young athletes for their performances and encouraged them to continue pursuing the sport with dedication.
During the closing ceremony, the organisers received appreciation from the invited guests for successfully conducting the youth league. Speaking on the occasion, Uran entrepreneur Deepak Thakur praised the grassroots initiative and assured the academy organisers of his full support for future editions of the tournament. Thakur expressed his confidence that competitions of this nature would play an important role in promoting football at the grassroots level.
Throughout the tournament, the young footballers displayed remarkable skill, discipline, and sportsmanship on the field. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the young players and drew strong support from local parents and football enthusiasts who gathered to watch the matches.
