The second day of the National Trials of TV9 Network’s initiative ‘News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ at the Khanikar Stadium was even more intense. The shortlisted young footballers tried their best to get closer to the final selection round. The main focus of the second day of trials was on strategic awareness, match intelligence and physical conditioning. It tested not only the technical skills of the participants but also their patience, strength and ability to adapt to pressure.
Strategic Skills and Match Intelligence
The morning sessions were entirely focused on drills that were designed to test the players’ positional awareness, decision-making abilities and teamwork dynamics during the match. Coaches closely monitored how players responded in fast-paced situations—such as reading the game, anticipating opponent movements, and making quick strategic decisions.
Along with strategic exercises, strength and conditioning were an important part of the physical evaluation process. It required the players to undergo sprint tests, endurance run training and high-intensity exercises to gauge their overall athletic preparedness. The second day proved to be one of the most important stages for many young footballers, as coaches and selectors have now started to focus on players who not only show skill with the ball, but who also have physical flexibility, discipline and game intelligence.
Tigers and Tigresses initiative in final selection stage
The trials being held in Dibrugarh represent the final national selection phase of the ‘News9 Indian Tigers and Tigresses’ initiative. This campaign started with the participation of more than 38,000 children from across India. After several rounds of screening and regional trials, around 300 players have now reached the national stage. From this group, only 25 players will finally be selected, who will be sent to Germany for advanced football training and exposure. There he will represent India in an international development program.
As the competition gets tougher, the young players competing in Dibrugarh are realizing that every practice, every sprint and every strategic decision they make on the field can decide their fate of representing India on the global stage. The first two days of the National Trials have showcased the depth of emerging grassroots football talent from across the country.
The first season was historic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given a historic farewell to the country’s top young footballers selected in the first season of this football talent hunt 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, Delhi. After a successful tour of Europe, the indigenous footballers were welcomed back home by Honorable Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Austrian Ambassador to India Kathrin Weiser at the Austrian Embassy.