Anju Turambekar appointed South United FC technical director

She is the first woman technical director of a men's club.

With the 2022-23 Season upon us, Bangalore-based South United Football Club has appointed Anju Turambekar as its Technical Director. Hailing from Kolhapur, Anju is India’s youngest woman AFC ‘A’ license holder who also pioneered the AIFF Grassroots Development Programme in the country and the Mission XI Million Programme introduced before the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India in 2017.

Anju is not only the first woman Technical Director of a men’s club in India but also the first woman to be on the AFC Grassroots Panel. Driven by her passion for the sport, she has donned many hats as a Player, Coach, Tutor, Assessor, Administrator, and Technical Director. She has been known for her ability to guide and develop not just players but coaches and other stakeholders too. She started her coaching career at the age of 18 and is now an AIFF Grassroots Committee Head and Tutor.

South United has recently launched its state-of-the-art Football Club in the heart of Bangalore, which includes all-weather 11-a-side, 6-a-side, and 3-a-side turfs, all within the same facility. SUFC has Elite Youth Teams in the Under 13, Under 15, and Under 18 categories, which will also compete in the AIFF Youth Leagues, along with its Senior Team, which has participated in the I-League 2nd Division.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sharan Parikh, Director, South United FC, said, “We are at a turning point in our ten-year journey, and Ms. Anju is one of the few people who has the expertise to understand and implement our mission for SUFC and the Indian footballing landscape. Her experience and positive approach make her the perfect fit for the culture and philosophy we are promoting here. We look forward to expanding our Grassroots and Youth Programme in Karnataka under her guidance and welcome her to the SUFC family!”

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Anju said, “I take it as my sheer privilege and honour that I have been entrusted with the technical responsibilities of the Club. I am all set to spread my wings and fly off into new and exciting adventures with South United, and I am excited to work for it tirelessly. I am grateful and would like to thank our visionary owner, Mr. Sharan Parikh, and our dynamic CEO, Mr. Pranav Trehan, for having faith in me and trusting my abilities. I look forward to working with the players, the SUFC staff, KSFA, and various stakeholders to set new goals and embark on new success stories.”

South United, through its Club and Academy, is creating a more integrated community for football in Bangalore. The idea behind the South United Ecosystem is to generate a free-flowing system that has a constant supply of talent, guidance, and employment, heralding a new generation of sports in the country!