CM Sukhu Hails Nadaun Academy as HP's Only AIFF-Recognised Football Residential Academy
Synopsis
Mother's Pride Football Academy in CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's Nadaun constituency has secured AIFF accreditation for 2026–27, becoming Himachal Pradesh's sole recognised residential football academy and opening national competition pathways for young players in the state.
Key Takeaways
Mother's Pride Football Academy in Nadaun, Hamirpur district has received AIFF accreditation for the 2026–27 season .
It is now the only AIFF-recognised residential football academy in Himachal Pradesh .
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu personally announced the achievement on 16 July 2026 , noting Nadaun is his own assembly constituency.
AIFF accreditation grants access to national youth tournaments and structured player-development pathways.
The recognition expands AIFF's residential academy network beyond traditional football strongholds in Goa and West Bengal .
Future state budget allocations for sports infrastructure and subsequent AIFF accreditation cycles will determine the academy's long-term growth trajectory.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday, 16 July 2026, congratulated the Mother's Pride Football Academy in his home constituency of Nadaun after it received formal accreditation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the 2026–27 season, making it the only AIFF-recognised residential football academy in Himachal Pradesh.
Context
Posting on X, Chief Minister Sukhu extended his congratulations in Hindi, saying 'मेरे विधानसभा क्षेत्र नादौन की Mother's Pride Football Academy को वर्ष 2026-27 सत्र के लिए AIFF से मान्यता मिलने पर हार्दिक बधाई' ('Heartfelt congratulations to the Mother's Pride Football Academy of my assembly constituency Nadaun on receiving AIFF recognition for the 2026–27 season'). He described the development as a 'glorious achievement' and extended best wishes to the academy's management team. Nadaun is a constituency in Hamirpur district, and Sukhu has represented it since 2022.
Policy Backdrop
The All India Football Federation launched its formal academy recognition and grading framework in the mid-2010s to raise standards for youth residential programmes and create structured pathways into national competitions. Accredited academies gain access to AIFF-sanctioned tournaments and, potentially, national funding channels that unrecognised programmes cannot tap. Himachal Pradesh has historically sat outside the traditional football heartlands of Goa and West Bengal, making this accreditation a notable geographic expansion of the AIFF's residential academy footprint.
Stakeholders and Impact
Young footballers enrolled at the Mother's Pride Football Academy stand to benefit most directly: AIFF recognition opens the door to participation in national youth leagues and exposure to structured scouting pathways. For Hamirpur district and the broader state, the academy's status could attract talent from across Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring hill states seeking quality residential training without relocating to traditional football centres. The development also aligns with the state government's broader push to promote sports as a pillar of youth engagement and tourism-linked development.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether the Himachal Pradesh government earmarks dedicated sports infrastructure funds in its next assembly session budget to support the academy's growth. Observers will also watch the AIFF's annual accreditation lists to see whether additional academies from non-traditional football states receive similar recognition, a trend that would signal meaningful progress in the federation's geographic diversification drive.
Point of View
Announcing the achievement from his own constituency carries clear political symbolism, linking governance delivery to grassroots sports infrastructure. The recognition also puts pressure on the state government to follow through with budgetary support, since accreditation alone does not guarantee sustained quality. Broader AIFF data on how many hill-state academies achieve similar status in coming cycles will reveal whether this is an isolated success or part of a structural shift in Indian football geography.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mother's Pride Football Academy and where is it located?
Mother's Pride Football Academy is a residential youth football training institution based in Nadaun , Hamirpur district , Himachal Pradesh , focused on developing young footballers in the state.
What does AIFF accreditation mean for a football academy?
AIFF accreditation means the academy meets the All India Football Federation's standards for residential youth programmes, granting it eligibility to participate in national youth tournaments and access structured player-development and potential funding pathways.
Is Mother's Pride Football Academy the only AIFF-recognised academy in Himachal Pradesh?
Yes. As of the 2026–27 season , Mother's Pride Football Academy in Nadaun is the only AIFF-recognised residential football academy in Himachal Pradesh , according to Chief Minister Sukhu's announcement.
Why did CM Sukhu congratulate the Mother's Pride Football Academy?
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the academy because Nadaun , where it is located, is his own assembly constituency , and the AIFF recognition represents a significant achievement for sports development in the region he represents.
How does Himachal Pradesh compare to other states in football development?
Himachal Pradesh has historically lagged behind traditional football powerhouses like Goa and West Bengal in terms of recognised residential academies. The AIFF accreditation of Mother's Pride Football Academy marks a step toward bridging that gap.
