Football coach Preetam Mahadik has been inundated with calls and messages since mid-day (edition dated July 31) highlighted his success story with his club Mumbai Knights in Mumbai Football Association-organised tournaments this season. Among the good wishes, one call was about a coaching role at a national-level
tournament, which Mahadik is very excited about.
Mumbai Schools Sports Association’s (MSSA) Football Secretary Sebastian D’Souza has offered Mahadik the chief coach’s job for the MSSA Academy girls team that will participate in the U-17 Nationals later this season. “I read Preetam’s story and was very impressed with his achievements. I’ve offered him the chief coach’s role for our MSSA Academy girls U-17 team that will be participating in the next edition of the Dream Sports Foundation-organised U-17 National Football Championship in February-March 2026. Most of Preetam’s players belong to our MSSA member schools, so he can pick some of his players while he also scouts for other talent from across the city. MSSA will bear the team’s expenses and provide all allowances for coaches and players for this Championship,” Fernandes told mid-day on Friday.
Mumbai Knights coach and owner Preetam Mahadik. Pic/Rane Ashish
Earlier this year, the Dream Sports Championship U-17 National Finals for girls and boys were held at the Raia Sports Complex in Goa, where Jharkhand FA beat Odisha FA 1-0 to win the girls title and Punjab FC defended the boys title with a 2-0 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Mahadik, whose girls have so far excelled at the city and state level, is confident they can prove their mettle at the national level too. “A national-level tournament is the perfect platform to showcase the quality of my Mumbai Knights girls and also other talented girls from the city. I’m grateful to MSSA for this opportunity,” said Mahadik.
MSSA Football Secy Sebastian Fernandes
Meanwhile, it is also learnt that apparel manufacturers Puma have stepped in to provide the entire playing kit for all the Mumbai Knights teams — sub-junior girls (U-13), junior girls (U-15) and seniors. “Puma supports athletes at the grassroot level domestically across sporting disciplines, so my club and I are fortunate to be supported by them as well. They have already sent across some pairs of shoes. It’s good to see our hard work being acknowledged,” said Mahadik.
