An Interview with Mr. Navin Hegde, Visionary and Planner of the WFFI Pro Mini Football League
Metro Newsportal:
Mr. Hegde, while many leagues look toward international stars, your focus for the WFFI Pro Mini Football League seems very different. Can you tell us about your strategy?
Navin Hegde:
Currently, our priority is not international participation; it is the Indian woman. My dream for several decades has been to build the game from the ground up. We want to promote women’s football in every possible way through this Mini Pro League. It is designed to open a new window for young girls across India to step into the sport and see it as a viable future.
Metro Newsportal
You mentioned that this league is a “gateway” for talent. How do you plan to reach players beyond the big cities?
Navin Hegde:
That is the heart of our project. We have tremendous opportunities to grow this game because India is blessed with thousands of sports stadiums. These aren’t just in urban centers; they are spread across rural and far-flung areas. We want to activate these local grounds. Whether a girl is in a metro city or a remote village, she should have a pitch to play on and a league to aspire to.
Metro Newsportal
For many families, sports are only an option if they are financially sustainable.
How does the Pro Mini League address this?
Navin Hegde: If the sport is financially viable, it changes everything. This league will bring money into the game, providing a professional livelihood. When a young girl who is a gifted player sees that she can support herself through football, she will choose this path. We are giving these young athletes the chance to find the shape of their life by turning passion into a rewarding career.
Metro Newsportal
How can parents learn about these opportunities, and which states will be involved in the selection?
Navin Hegde:
We want parents to see the immense potential here. Currently, they can visit our official websites to see the opportunities available. Moving forward, we are launching a massive awareness campaign through newspapers and tele-media.
As for the reach, almost all states of India will participate. We are organizing selection centers across the entire map—from Jammu and Kashmir and Leh-Ladakh in the north to the North-East region, and throughout Southern and Western India. Anyone with talent and interest is welcome.
Metro Newsportal:
It sounds like a massive undertaking. What is the long-term plan for national engagement?
Navin Hegde:
We are taking it step-by-step to interest the entire nation. We will be joining hands with several community and social platforms to create a unified support system. This is more than a league; it’s a national movement to empower the young women of India through football, ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed regardless of where they live.