As a part of the preparations for setting up of youth teams and residential academy, Odisha FC conducted a two-day scouting program for under 18 and under 15 boys at Capital High School Ground, Bhubaneswar. It was a closed scouting done under the supervision of first-team assistant coach Anshul Katiyar and youth team coaches Sandeep Alhan (U18), Amit Rana (U15), and Kirti Kashyap (U13).

Around 80 children, selected from previous scouting events, from both age groups participated in this. Kids who had excelled and impressed during the OFC Digital Grassroots Academy were also called up for this program and were awarded by the coaches for successfully completing digital challenges as well. OFC’s Youth Team Manager Sayantan Ganguly, Grassroots Manager Suvam Das, and Media Manager Chiranjibi Pati were present during the scouting event. 

Speaking about the same, U18 Head Coach Sandeep Alhan said, “I am thankful to the Odisha Government and Football Association of Odisha (FAO) for helping up organize this. We saw the boys and found out that there are good quality players. They have talent and quality and I believe that if we work on them and they get better training, they have a chance to reach a higher level. Our aim is to scout each and every player in the State and we will keep continuing our scouting programs.”

U15 Head Coach Amit Rana mentioned, “We recently conducted Odisha FC youth trials adhering to all Covid guidelines here. It was good to see the enthusiasm of the players who turned out in big numbers here. Thanks to the Reliance Foundation for their support and it was a very happy experience here.

Coach Kirti Kashyap from the U13 team expressed, “The scouting program went really well. We had good facilities for this here and thanks to the State Government for the same. The boys turned up in good numbers and they have the potential. We have to nurture them for the future and we are hoping for the best.”