Bhopal, July 16 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav today proposed the establishment of Football Excellence Centres, sports infrastructure upgrades, and Spanish coaching-based youth training programs in Madhya Pradesh under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The CM made the proposal in a meeting at Madrid, Spain with the President and technical directors of LaLiga, Spain’s top division professional football league, on the first day of his official visit to the country.
CM Yadav reached Madrid from Dubai last night.
He began the first day of his Spain visit by touring the world-renowned headquarters of LaLiga in Madrid.
LaLiga officials presented a football to CM Yadav.
He held discussions with senior officials focusing on sports, youth empowerment, and investment collaboration.
The chief minister emphasised that the expertise and global reach of LaLiga should directly benefit the youth of Madhya Pradesh.
He said, this visit is not merely ceremonial, but a symbol of the state’s strong commitment to innovation in sports, social inclusion, and international partnerships.
He added that the collaboration with LaLiga should not be limited to sports alone but can also become a gateway to employment generation, community participation, global branding, and cultural tourism in the state.
The Chief Minister suggested that Madhya Pradesh’s rich cultural diversity, wildlife, heritage sites, and tourism opportunities should be effectively promoted to European audiences through digital and ground co-branding during LaLiga matches.
This initiative, he said, could significantly attract foreign investment in sectors such as sports tourism, fitness, media broadcasting, and sports tech.
CM Yadav praised LaLiga’s long-term experience in youth skill development, talent scouting through football academies, and community involvement.
He said that Madhya Pradesh aims to leverage this collaboration to make sports a powerful vehicle for social development.
Addressing the media after his discussion at LaLiga headquarters in Madrid, Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has fostered an environment where young talent is reaching international platforms.
He said that sports are no longer just a competition, but are now deeply connected to the personality, career and global identity of Indian youth.
He added that with the support of the Government of India and the Ministry of Sports, Madhya Pradesh is moving forward at all levels to promote sports.
Recalling Prime Minister Modi’s remark describing a small village in Shahdol as the “football capital of India,” the CM said this was not mere praise but recognition of the hidden potential in rural India.
He told media persons that the MP state government is committed to providing athletes with modern facilities, world-class training and opportunities for participation in international competitions. Learning from countries like Spain, Madhya Pradesh is working on technical collaborations, training centers, and international tournaments to shape and nurture sporting talent.
Yadav stated in his media address that the state government’s vision is for Madhya Pradesh to lead not only in industry, tourism and education but also in sports development.
He said that the government is consistently working to provide world-class opportunities to the youth.
It is possible to shape not just the body, but also the future, through sports like football, the CM asserted.
