After India's Mahindra United pulled off a surprise 2-0 victory in their away AFC Cup group match against Singapore Armed Forces Football Club, the S.League champion invited MU to participate in a four or six-team international championship this year. In addition, the Singapore premier club has proposed an official tie-up between the two clubs for youth development programs. “We have been trying to promote our youth development program for the last couple of years. Despite having finalised discussions with a top Italian club and the renowned Ronaldinho academy in recent times, the ventures had to be set aside due to unavoidable reasons. So, I was thrilled when SAFFC’s manager and other top executives sent a proposal asking if it would be possible for Mahindra United to participate in an international invitational championship this year," MU's Alan Durante told Sudeep Pakrashi of Express India.
Not content with the Singapore-based tournament which will include teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Maldives, then Mumbai-based MU is also planning a Super Soccer Series on the lines of the recently revived Tata Football Academy - Indian Football Association event played in Kerala, Delhi and Bengal which included Brazil's Sao Paulo. “Yes we are moving towards the venture where a top European club team is expected to participate in a few exhibition matches with India’s premier teams including Mahindra United and we are trying to make it an annual program,” Durante confirmed.
Not content with the Singapore-based tournament which will include teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Maldives, then Mumbai-based MU is also planning a Super Soccer Series on the lines of the recently revived Tata Football Academy - Indian Football Association event played in Kerala, Delhi and Bengal which included Brazil's Sao Paulo. “Yes we are moving towards the venture where a top European club team is expected to participate in a few exhibition matches with India’s premier teams including Mahindra United and we are trying to make it an annual program,” Durante confirmed.