**Summary:**
On August 28, 2025, Union Minister for Youth Affairs, Sports, and Labour Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, recognized the Minerva Academy Football Club of Mohali for their unprecedented achievement of winning a European treble in youth football. The club's Under-14/15 squad secured victories in the Gothia Cup (Sweden), the Dana Cup (Denmark), and the Norway Cup (Norway) in July/August 2025. Dr. Mandaviya hailed these wins as a "new beginning for Indian football" and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the nation in athletic pursuits. He advocated for increased focus on sports science, nutrition, and mental resilience through psychological support for young athletes. The team remained undefeated in 26 international matches, scoring 295 goals while maintaining a strong defense. Minerva Academy FC, a Khelo India Accredited Academy, was one of six Indian clubs participating in the U14 Boys category at the Gothia Cup 2025, where they defeated Argentina's Escuela de Football 18 Tucumn 4-0 in the final. Konthoujam Yohenba Singh and Huidrom Tony received individual honors as Best Player at the Gothia Cup and Dana Cup, respectively. Rini Choudhury and Anjelina Alexander are the media contacts for further information. Release ID: 2161639.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The Indian government ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: Union Minister for Youth Affairs Sports and Labour Employment.
Minerva Academy Football Club, Mohali, Punjab: A football club from Mohali, Punjab, India, whose Under 14/15 squad won European tournaments.
Gothia Cup Sweden: A youth football tournament held in Sweden.
Dana Cup Denmark: A youth football tournament held in Denmark.
Norway Cup Norway: A youth football tournament held in Norway.
Khelo India: A government program for the development of sports in India.
Konthoujam Yohenba Singh: Best Player, Gothia Cup
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Young
Footballers after Historic European Treble; Calls it
New Beginning for Football in India
Posted On: 28 AUG 2025 6:54PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated
the young footballers of Minerva Academy Football Club, Mohali, in New Delhi today, terming their victories
across Europe as a new beginning for Indian football, going forward.
The Under-14/15 squad of 22 players scripted history in July–August 2025 by completing a never-before-
achieved European treble, winning the Gothia Cup (Sweden), the Dana Cup (Denmark), and the Norway Cup
(Norway).
"This is a new beginning for Indian football in our quest to achieve more glory in the international arena,"
mentioned Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
The Union Minister urged the young athletes to keep in mind 'nation first' wherever they participate. "More
emphasis has to be given towards sports science, nutrition and mental resilience of these youngsters through
psychologists. This will keep India on the winning path. These youngsters have to maintain their high
confidence level and their passion towards the sport," Dr. Mandaviya added.
These tournaments are regarded as the three most prestigious youth football competitions in the world. The
team remained unbeaten in 26 international matches, scoring an astonishing 295 goals while conceding just a
handful, against youth clubs from South America, Europe, and more.Minerva Academy FC, also a Khelo India Accredited Academy, was one of the six clubs from India that had
teams in the U-14 Boys category playing during Gothia Cup 2025. They defeated Argentina’s Escuela de
Football 18 Tucumán 4–0 this July in the final of the Gothia Cup 2025, known as the ‘Youth World Cup’, in
Sweden.
Players like Konthoujam Yohenba Singh (Best Player, Gothia Cup) and Huidrom Tony (Best Player, Dana
Cup) also earned individual honours.
*****
Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
(Release ID: 2161639)