Speaking on the occasion, Chaubey said, " I have high expectations through the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy that we will get our best U-17 team in the coming three years."

Wenger said, "I saw the facilities and the quality of infrastructure is great here in Odisha. We have realised that among 211 countries, most have no real youth education. The best countries have good education system for young children. So, many children do not even get the chance.

"Giving every talent in the world a chance is what our programme is about. To identify the talent in India, give good education and good level of competition to make great players. How long it could take, we do not know, but without education we will remain where we are.

Our target is to get India back on the map. No country has more rights than any other to be on the top. Our huge effort is to educate children to get them as good as they can be. You cannot start to play football at 15, you need to start at five or six," Wenger said.

Later in the day, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along with Arsene Wenger inaugurated the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy during the India vs Qatar FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup joint qualification match at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

According to a press release from the office of the Chief Minister, 50 talented football players in the under-14 age group will be selected for the academy from across the country, including 15 Odisha players. The Academy will be headed by a Fifa appointed coach along with various coaches and staff from AIFF and Govt of Odisha.
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TOP (L-R): Odisha Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna, Sports Minister Tushar Kanti Behera, FIFA Global Football Development Chief Arsène Wenger and AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey at the MoU signing ceremony in Bhubaneswar on 21 November 2021.
RIGHT: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along with Arsene Wenger inaugurates  the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy in Bhubaneswar on 21 November 2021.