On May 22, 2025, I had the distinct privilege of moderating a panel discussion during the Indo-German MSME Conclave, titled “Sport Meets Education: Leveraging Football for Youth Development and Social Impact.” This inspiring event was part of a collaborative effort by SICCI, Der Mittelstand (BVMW), and Guidance Tamil Nadu. As someone who hails from Kerala—a state where football is not just a sport but a way of life—it was deeply personal and incredibly fulfilling to be a part of this conversation.
In India, sports have often played the role of peacemakers—be it friendly matches organized in border states, or interfaith football tournaments held in conflict-affected regions. These are powerful reminders of how a game can do what even dialogue sometimes can’t.
The panel brought together four extraordinary minds from the world of football and education:
- Mr. Ernst Suganandarajah, Managing Director, University of Europe for Applied Sciences, whose vision seamlessly connects classrooms with locker rooms, proving that academic ambition and athletic excellence can go hand in hand.
- Mr. Christian Diercks, Managing Director of the BVB Football Academy, who lives the Borussia Dortmund spirit of “True Love” by nurturing young talent globally and instilling both footballing skills and life values.
- Mr. Abhishek Yadav, CEO of FC Madras, who is leading a football revolution in South India by converting raw local passion into structured opportunity, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
- Mr. Peter Leible, Senior Advisor to Bundesliga International, who has seen the social impact of German football spread across five continents, including initiatives that blend sport with education and community development.
Two Takeaways That Resonated Deeply
- “Listen to our kids.”
We heard a powerful call to action: listen to the aspirations of our youth and create pathways that allow them to dream big—whether on the field or in life. The role of sport, particularly football, as a life-shaping force cannot be underestimated. - “Leaders develop leaders.”
Our discussion underlined the urgent need for great coaches—not just to build winning teams, but to build future-ready young individuals. Coaches are not just tacticians; they are mentors, educators, and culture shapers. In India’s football ecosystem, investing in coaches is investing in our future players.
A Memorable Question—and a Humble Answer
One audience member asked the question on every Indian football fan’s mind: “When will India qualify for the World Cup?”
Abhishek Yadav responded with humility and honesty: while the qualification process and structure may not currently favour many Asian nations, there’s genuine promise at the U19 level, and hope is certainly on the horizon.
The moment was both sobering and inspiring—a reminder that change is a long game, but we’re on the right track.
The Dortmund Jersey Moment
One particularly humbling moment was when we collectively held up the Borussia Dortmund jersey—a symbol of excellence, resilience, and community spirit. It wasn’t just a photo op; it was a snapshot of collaboration between India and Germany, between sport and education, and between dreams and their realization.
As a lifelong football enthusiast, moderating this panel wasn’t just another professional engagement—it was a dream come true. The conversations we had will stay with me, and I hope they ripple outwards to those who can create systemic change in how we view sport as a force for education and development.
Let’s keep this dialogue alive. Let’s coach better, listen better, and play better—for a better future.
#FootballForDevelopment #YouthLeadership #IndoGermanConclave #SportsAndEducation #KeralaLovesFootball #FCMadras #BVB #Bundesliga #LeadershipThroughSport #GeorgeWrites #MSMEConclave2025
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