 "The victorious Punjab FC team after winning the 2024-25 AIFF Junior League. Image credit: Punjab FC")
Punjab FC, the club that had joined the Indian Super League as its 12th team in 2023, has been doing its part in developing Indian sport at the grassroots level by nurturing young talent with world-class coaching and education at its training centres in the state of Punjab.
More than a hundred potential stars train across 16 centres located in cities such as Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Attari and Patiala under the guidance of nearly 30 coaches, nutritionists, doctors, physiotherapists and support staff.
And the impact of that investment can be gauged by the results that it has produced in the form of 11 Indian internationals across senior, U23, U19 and U17 levels in just four years.
It is this youth training programme that helped the club win the AIFF U17 Elite League, the AIFF U15 Junior League and won the Dream Sports Championship U17 for the second consecutive year.
Punjab FC players who have represented India across age groups
Abhishek Singh Tekcham – India Senior Team
– First Punjab FC player called up to Indian senior national team (Mar 2025).
– Also featured for India U23 squad
Nikhil Prabhu – India Senior Team
– Led ISL in interceptions (2024–25)
– Called up to Indian national team (May 2025)
– Played in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
Pramveer – India U23
– Youngest player to start an ISL match
– Represented India in AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers
Muhammed Suhail – India U23
– Third youngest to register ISL assist
– Called up to India U23 national team camp
– Player of the Tournament in 2024 RFDL
Mangenthang Kipgen – India U23
– Best Player of Tournament in 2023 SAFF U19 scoring 2 goals in final.
– Called up to India U23 national team camp.
– Top scorer in 2024 RFDL
Singamayum Shami – India U19
– Youngest-ever ISL goalscorer.
– Captained India U19 to 2025 SAFF Championship win
Omang Dodum – India U19
– Part of 2025 SAFF U19 Championship-winning team scoring 3 goals in tournament.
– Second highest scorer in 2025 SAFF U19 Championship
Vishal Yadav – India U17
– Third-youngest ISL debutant
– Third highest scorer in 2025 SAFF U17 Championship
– 17 goals in 2024–25 Elite Youth League
– Player of the Tournament in 2025 Dream Sports Championship
Karish Soram – India U17
– Part of India’s 2024 U17 SAFF winning team.
– Helped Punjab FC win 2024–25 Elite Youth League
Usham Thongamba – India U17
– Called up to India U17 national team camp
Aniket Yadav – India U17
– Called up to India U17 national team camp
PFC’s Trophy Cabinet:
– I-League - PFC Senior Team Won in 2022-23 Season
– Reliance Foundation Development League - Won in 2024
– JSW Youth Cup - U-13 Team Won in 2023
– JSW Youth Cup - U-18 Team Won in 2022
– JSW Youth Cup - U-15 Team Won in 2022
– AIFF U17 Elite League 2024-25
– AIFF U15 Junior League 2024-25
– Dream Sports Championship U17 in season 20230-24 and 2024-25