Post JFC exit, Tata Steel to focus on grassroots football

Pioneer News Service

Jamshedpur

Tata Steel on Monday ruled out reconsidering its decision to withdraw Jamshedpur FC (JFC) from the Indian Super League (ISL), saying the company is shifting its focus back to grassroots sports development.

Speaking at a press conference at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Tata Steel Vice President (Corporate Services) DB Sundara Ramam said the decision followed extensive deliberations and was not driven by financial reasons.

Calling it a difficult but carefully considered move, Ramam said Tata Steel would now strengthen football development through the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and grassroots programmes in Jharkhand, Odisha and other regions where the company operates. The objective is to identify and train young players capable of representing clubs in India and abroad.

Highlighting the company’s contribution to Indian football, he said TFA has trained around 275 cadets, with 148 representing India at various levels and 24 serving as national team captains. The academy has also produced 88 players currently playing for professional clubs and has earned the highest five-star accreditation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Since 2018, Tata Steel’s grassroots initiatives have benefited nearly 6,700 children.

Ramam said Tata Steel had explored the possibility of another organisation taking over JFC and was willing to provide facilities and support if a suitable partner had emerged. He also assured that contractual commitments to JFC’s coaching and support staff would be honoured and that the company would help players find opportunities with other clubs.

Rejecting speculation that financial losses influenced the decision, Ramam said Tata Steel had invested about Rs 318 crore in JFC over the past nine years, including sponsorship support. He added that the company, which supports nearly 90 sports disciplines, believes greater social impact can be achieved by investing in grassroots talent development.