As many villages grapple with concerns such as drugs and unemployment, a silent sporting movement is sweeping through Rurka Kalan in Adampur, Jalandhar, where youths are so engaged that they have little time for drugs or even social media.
At the centre of this movement is India’s football star Anwar Ali, who, after a 20-year-long illustrious career in football, including 35 international appearances for the Indian senior team, has returned to his native village and alma mater—the Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan (YFC)—to nurture sporting talent from the grassroots. Anwar has also been regarded as one of the highest-paid players in Indian football.
Founded in 2001 by Gurmangal Das Soni of Rurka Kalan, YFC has produced numerous sporting talents, including national and international footballers. Anwar Ali himself is a product of YFC and was part of its earliest batches.
Under coach Ali, currently head coach at YFC, a team of 10 boys will represent India at the Street Child World Cup 2026, to be held in Mexico City alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
During his two-decade-long career, Ali—born and raised in Rurka Kalan and educated at the local Government Senior Secondary School—has rubbed shoulders with international football legends such as Roberto Carlos, who also coached him; Alessandro Del Piero; Robbie Keane; Alessandro Nesta; Marco Materazzi; Nicolas Anelka; Florent Malouda; and Diego Forlan, the top scorer of the 2010 World Cup.
On the YFC grounds, Ali said, “I joined YFC two years ago. Before that I was a professional football player for 20 years. When I thought I want to take to coaching, my first choice was, let’s start coaching where I started off as a player. Here we already had an academy and a group producing players for U-14 and U-17 teams and seniors. My specialty could be used here. Many players think of going to ISL (Indian Super League) or league football. I think children should be developed for the sport early on. That’s why we’re here.”
Reflecting on YFC’s growth, Ali said, “When I started off, YFC already had an illustrious history in football. We knew the steps which had been taken for the academy would make it grow. Very earnest and unparalleled efforts are being made by the founders for football here. I was among the first batches. YFC has now been working for 25 years and it’s still growing. I’ve played and seen infrastructure in other states and cities—not just academies but also professional clubs. YFC is among the best grassroots academies in India.”
Students from across the state are satisfied with the diet provided here. On comparisons with other academies, Ali said, “One can’t compare academies. But here, stress is laid on proper nutrition. As a coach, I’m very happy to see my wards’ diet, regimen, and training, with world-class gyms, fields, and infrastructure. The management fully supports me. This is the best opportunity for kids, and the same is being replicated for the team going to Mexico.”
Ali added that YFC has sent a total of 15 to 20 players to national teams in the U-14, U-17, and U-19 categories. Players from YFC have also gone on to represent India at the senior level.
Anwar Ali returns to YFC Rurka Kalan to nurture next-gen football talent
