ASA runs a Football program across the district of Anantapur through 21 centres. The Football program was initiated for boys in 2004 and for girls in 2008.
The total number of regular, weekly participants in Football at ASA is 2,143 (737 Girls and 1406 Boys).
The programs are implemented via three types of centres: Grassroot Programs, Developmental Centres and the Anantapur Sports Village.
The ASA currently operates 20 Mandal clubs across Anantapur district, where 20 clubs run programs for both girls and boys. A total of 1,884 youth (689 girls and 1,195 boys) participate in regular, weekly Football programs at the Mandal level.
Each Mandal club has access to a Football ground and a dedicated coach. All the coaches are internally trained and supervised by RDT, as well as provided with administrative support. All the training gear and equipment for the Mandal clubs is provided by RDT.
Currently, there are 2 development centers running in Anantapur for Football, at Atmakur and Bathalapalli, established in 2011. The Football infrastructure at these centres was developed by RDT in partnership with FC Barcelona Foundation. Both these development centres reach 190 children and youth (48 girls and 142 boys).
The entire program is supported by RDT, providing the children with well-maintained infrastructure, including full-sized dirt grounds with changing rooms and a dedicated full-time coach, supported by the centre’s PE Teacher. Moreover, RDT provides training gear and equipment to all children, along with a nutrition program, catering to additional diet aligned to their training. Lastly, the children also receive daily Computer classes.
The Football Academy at Anantapur Sports Village (ASV) was started in 2010. It is a residential academy that supports a total of 69 boys playing at U-11, U-13, U-15 & U-18 age groups. The athletes are selected from the Mandal Football Clubs and Development Centres, through a structured Talent ID program developed by RDT.
The entire program is supported by RDT, where all athletes are provided with the necessary support for their development. The athletes are provided with a full nutrition program, incorporating all three daily meals as well as additional diet aligned to their training needs, as well as educational support with free of cost access to partner schools and colleges.
Spanish clubs FC Sant Vicenti and FC Sant Cugat hold annual coaching camps for all athletes’ part of the ASV Academy, as well as children from the grassroot and development centres.