vadodara: Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper David Forde is lending his experience to India’s next generation of footballers, mentoring some of the country’s most promising young talent at the STAIRS School Football League (SSFL) National Camp 2026 in Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand.Held at CVM Football Ground, the camp brought together the top 100 players from across India, shortlisted from a pool of over 50,000 participants spanning 12 states and 29 cities — underlining SSFL’s scale as one of the country’s largest grassroots football scouting initiatives.At the centre of the action is Forde, who is closely mentoring and assessing players, sharing insights drawn from his international career. Emphasizing the importance of mindset, he urged young footballers to stay resilient. “It’s a fantastic initiative to see such a large number of young players competing here. Football demands hard work, dedication and mental strength. Even if you are not selected today, come back stronger and more determined,” he said.
