New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS): The Minerva Academy Football Club and the Delhi Football Club have signed a multi-layered partnership, a statement said on Thursday. The aim is to develop local players, local coaches, and the overall football ecosystem in Delhi-NCR, opening new doors for football in the national capital region.

Delhi FC powered by Minerva will promote local young talents and aspiring coaches and also will offer the chance to the locals who want to work in the football industry along with that it will offer opportunity to the players, coaches, and administrators to play, coach and manage.

Owner of Minerva Academy FC Ranjit Bajaj announced a partnership to develop the football ecosystem in the capital of India. The partnership will work towards giving a platform to the local players, coaches, administrators, and other staff in Delhi to showcase their talent by playing and working at the senior-most level in a proper professional set up.

Delhi FC is one of the few big clubs in Delhi. The club finished third in the Delhi League last season.

Hem Chand, one of the oldest members of Delhi Football and the only member who has won 6 consecutive times in elections, is currently the senior vice-president in the MC of Delhi, will be among the board of directors of the new entity.

He is also an author and wrote on Indian and Asian football and previously managed teams like Indian Railways, Delhi and Indian football team, he also has received sports award from the first President of the country when he was only 8.

B.S. Mehra, on behalf of Delhi FC, said: "We are excited to be in a partnership with Minerva Academy FC who have produced and given so many players to the national team. Minerva believes in making stars rather than taking stars. We share the same motto. This is a great opportunity for the revival of football in Delhi and we would love to be part of this great Ideology. The major focus will be on the exchange program of Players, Coaches, Administrators, and support staff".

Ranjit Bajaj, founder of Minerva Academy FC, said: "This is a unique opportunity for Minerva to make its presence in the National Capital. The city has in recent years given quite a few players to the national team who unfortunately have to ply their trade in other cities and in other clubs. We believe there is a lot of talent in Delhi and we would like to reach out to them through Delhi FC."