10 months ago
Father's IT Career Shift Fuels Pune's Rising Football Club Success
Imagine a dad who used to work with computers, but he loved soccer so much that he decided to start his own soccer club for kids in Pune, India.
His son and his friends didn't have a place to play after their old team closed down, so this dad created a new club called Rising Pune FC.
It started small with just a few kids, but now it has over 500 boys and girls learning to play soccer from many coaches.
The club makes sure that playing soccer is affordable for everyone, even offering free spots for kids who need them.
They are very serious about making sure players are honest about their age and focus on getting better.
The club has won many games and helped 18 players join bigger teams.
They even have a special girls' team that will get to play in a big tournament in Japan soon!
The dad hopes to make soccer a big deal in India, not just a sport, but a way for kids to grow and be healthy.
Rising Pune FC, founded in 2019 by Siddharth Deshmukh, has grown from 20 children to over 500 players aged 6-18 with 30 coaches.
Deshmukh left his IT career to establish the club, which emphasizes integrity, affordability, and providing 40-50 competitive matches annually per player.
The academy has seen 18 players scouted by top clubs like Reliance Foundation Young Champs and Bengaluru FC, some on full scholarships.
Rising Pune FC is recognized for combating age fraud in youth football and has achieved championship status in various Pune District Football Association (PDFA) and Western India Football Association (WIFA) tournaments.
The club's girls' U-17 team is set to represent India at Japan's Sanix Cup in March 2026, facilitated by a collaboration with former India international Arata Izumi.
- Who
- Siddharth Deshmukh, a former IT professional, and his team at Rising Pune FC
- What
- Founded and successfully grown a grassroots football club providing opportunities and quality coaching for young players.
- Where
- Pune, India, with facilities across west Pune.
- When
- Founded in 2019, with significant growth and achievements in recent years, including upcoming international participation in March 2026.
- Why
- To provide a platform for young footballers after the closure of FC Pune City, focusing on integrity, accessibility, and developing Indian football.
Current Reality
Ideal Scenario
Financial Support
Current Reality
Securing financial support for non-cricket sports in India is a constant challenge, with difficulty in obtaining CSR funding.
Ideal Scenario
Corporates should view grassroots sport as a vital part of nation-building and provide transparent support.
Development Focus
Current Reality
Indian youth football struggles with issues like age fraud.
Ideal Scenario
Focus should be on developing integrity, process, and providing consistent competitive opportunities for young athletes.
Key facts
- Club Name
- Rising Pune FC
- Founded
- 2019
- Founder
- Siddharth Deshmukh
- Player Base
- Over 500 boys and girls (ages 6-18)
- Coaches
- 30 licensed coaches
- Notable Achievements
- Champions in PDFA age groups, top four in WIFA tournaments, Maharashtra State Youth Club League winners
- International Opportunity
- Girls' U-17 team invited to Japan's Sanix Cup (March 2026)
Quotes
Siddharth Deshmukh
Founder of Rising Pune FC and sports industry veteran
“When FC Pune City shut down in 2018, my son and his friends had nowhere to play. That’s when we started with just 15-20 kids and a few coaches under the 4 Lions Academy. My intention was clear: to build the most sincere and dedicated grassroots academy in Pune and give every child 40-50 competitive matches a year.”
indianexpress.com
“In a cricket-dominated country, getting financial support for any other sport is a constant challenge. We’re not looking for handouts, just transparency and intent from federations, and support from corporates to treat grassroots sport as part of nation-building.”
indianexpress.com
Arata Izumi
Former India international and Japan-born footballer
“Girls’ football in India has huge potential. It just needs the right environment—safe spaces, quality coaching, and consistent match exposure. The Sanix Cup is a step in that direction. Our kids come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, creating a rich mix within our community. This diversity not only enhances the experience for everyone involved but also fosters an environment where all children can thrive and grow through sports.”
indianexpress.com
