Sports Mania Achieves 2-Star AIFF Accreditation, Leads Pune Football Academies
Pune, 18th December 2024 — Wakad-based Sports Mania Football Development Centre has secured a prestigious 2-star academy accreditation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the 2024-25 season. This recognition makes Sports Mania the only Pune-based academy to achieve 2-star status, distinguishing itself from other local clubs, which include four earning 1-star accreditation.
The AIFF’s accreditation system for 2024-25 saw two academies receive 5-star status, three awarded 4-star, seventeen achieve 3-star, twenty-seven attain 2-star, and thirty receive 1-star status. Sports Mania’s success comes just two years after its inception and is a significant milestone for the Pune football scene.
Headed by former Santosh Trophy skipper Paresh Shivalkar and current Head Coach, Sports Mania is now poised to bring I-League action back to Pune after an eight-year hiatus. Reflecting on this achievement, Shivalkar expressed his excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to be the first academy to achieve this status in such a short span. Earlier, it was Pune FC that held the mantle for football in the city.”
The 2-star accreditation covers Sports Mania’s Under-12, 13, 15, 17, and 19 teams. Shivalkar also revealed that home matches will take place at the Sports Mania Arena in Wakad, which boasts a full-sized pitch. “We are eager to see our Under-13, 15, and 17 teams in action at home,” he added.
Looking ahead, Shivalkar emphasized the academy’s ambitious goals: “Our mission is to see Sports Mania players represent India. Our players have already competed at high levels, but we’re aiming even higher.”
Sports Mania’s accreditation marks a major step forward for football development in Pune, providing a solid foundation for future footballing talent in the region.
