MUMBAI: Nirmal, India?s leading real estate company, has teamed up with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), India?s leading youth development initiative, to launch University Football League (UFL).

UFL is a first-of-its-kind league which will not only provide a platform to young talented footballers to showcase their skills, but also provide a career path to the best players.

Through this platform possibilities will be explored of identifying talented individuals who can be given the opportunity to play professional football as well as explore professional careers in other spheres of the football industry, thus promoting human capital development in the sport.

The initiative also act as a natural extension and an integral part of ?NDTV-Nirmal Marks for Sports Campaign? to provide opportunities to students excelling in sports who are committed to obtaining a college education.

Speaking on the occasion, Nirmal Chairman and MD Dharmesh Jain said, ?Brand Nirmal has always been associated with sports initiatives. In India, football is best enjoyed as a spectator?s game, in stadiums or on television. The ever increasing fan following has inspired the country to become one of the frontline football playing nations in the world. Hence we are proud to introduce with University Football League (UFL) and Bhaichung Bhutia, to make football the next big sport in India.?

BBFS MD Bhaichung Bhutia said, ?We are truly excited to partner with Nirmal to launch UFL with International Standards in India. One of the major challenges that Indian football is facing today is lack of adequate human capital at all levels of the game. This scenario is seriously hampering the development of this beautiful game.

"However, with the intervention of various sports organizations as well as the public and private sector, there is a chance that this situation may change for the better, definitely in the long run, if not in the immediate future. With the launch of UFL, we look forward to encourage and motivate young talented footballers in India.? This university league will be modeled with the prevailing international university sports league like in USA and UK."

UFL will be played in 11-a-side format in full-size football fields under FIFA regulations. The first edition will be restricted to five major cities namely Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Kochi. In the subsequent years the editions will cover other regions and will be scaled up such that it is accessible to every interested college team in India.

Italian sports brand Diadora is UFL?s partner and this will be the global brand?s first major activation in the Indian market.