Andhra Pradesh, September 2026: The Andhra Pradesh Football Association (APFA) and India Khelo Football (IKF) are coming together for another season of Scout on Wheels – Andhra Pradesh 2026 in association with AP Tourism, taking the grassroots football initiative to an even larger footprint across the state.
Building on their previous collaboration, the 2026 edition will reach 20+ locations across Andhra Pradesh, bringing structured player assessment, coaching insights, football pathways and player-support interventions closer to grassroots communities.
This year, however, the programme will be about more than identifying football talent.
From talent scouting to 360° player support
Scout on Wheels 2026 will combine IKF’s nationwide scouting network with a broader IKF Pathway 360 approach, designed to support young players as individuals and not only as aspiring footballers.
Alongside structured football assessments, players and families will be introduced to areas including mental fitness, financial literacy, women’s well-being, education, career opportunities and pathways beyond professional football.
The objective is to ensure that even players who may not eventually pursue football professionally are not left without direction.
Through Pathway 360, IKF aims to connect players to the right ecosystem of partners, mentors, educational opportunities and career pathways, reinforcing the belief that the journey does not end at the football pitch.
APFA-certified coaches to bring development insights to the grassroots
One of the key additions to this year’s programme will be the participation of APFA-certified coaches.
Coaches will be part of the Scout on Wheels journey, engaging with players and providing insights into their development. Their involvement will add a strong technical and developmental layer to the programme, helping players understand areas such as technical ability, decision-making, game understanding, fitness and the process of long-term player development.
The collaboration brings together APFA’s coaching ecosystem and understanding of football development within the state by ensuring the players through out the year can be developed and trained under APFA coaches.
“For football to grow in Andhra Pradesh, we need to take development opportunities closer to the grassroots and all the schools. The involvement of APFA-certified coaches in Scout on Wheels will allow young players to receive meaningful technical inputs while also helping us understand the football potential emerging from different parts of the state. Our collaboration with IKF is an important step towards creating a stronger and more connected football ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh.”
— Mr Sridhar Kotagiri, President, Andhra Pradesh Football Association
“Scout on Wheels is evolving into much more than a talent identification initiative. Our objective is to take the football ecosystem to the player—whether that means identifying a player for a professional pathway, helping them understand how they can develop, or connecting them with opportunities beyond football. With 20+ locations this season, our collaboration with APFA allows us to take this 360° approach deeper into Andhra Pradesh.”
— Mr Phani Bhushan, Founder, India Khelo Football
A partnership built around access and opportunity
The continued partnership between APFA and IKF reflects a shared belief that grassroots football development requires a sustained ecosystem rather than one-time scouting events.
APFA brings its football network and certified coaching ecosystem, while IKF brings its experience in grassroots talent identification, scouting and player pathways across India.
The initiative is also supported by Tyger Capital, whose continued association with Scout on Wheels reflects the role that responsible corporate partnerships can play in expanding access to sport and creating opportunities for young people.
“The journey in Andhra Pradesh has shown what becomes possible when communities come together around a shared vision. Tyger Capital is proud to continue supporting India Khelo Football in creating sustainable opportunities for young athletes across the state.”
— Mr Gaurav Gupta, Founder, MD & CEO Tyger Capital
Taking the football ecosystem on the road
With 20+ locations planned across Andhra Pradesh, Scout on Wheels will travel deeper into the state’s football communities, creating opportunities for players who may otherwise have limited access to structured scouting, coaching expertise and information about football pathways.
At every location, the programme will bring together players, parents, coaches, grassroots partners and local football stakeholders.
The initiative will also strengthen the role of the local football ecosystem by creating connections between grassroots players and the wider network of coaches, scouts, clubs, academies, associations, NGOs and corporate partners.
The philosophy remains simple: talent can come from anywhere, but opportunity should not be limited by geography.
As APFA and IKF return for another season of Scout on Wheels, the programme is therefore not just searching for the next footballer.
It is looking to identify potential, provide development insights, create pathways and support the individual behind the player.
And this season, the road across Andhra Pradesh is set to be bigger than ever.