In a bid to develop and promote football at grassroot level and spread the game across the state, the Western India Football Association (WIFA) has signed a deal with Sporting Ace Pvt Ltd (SAPL), a sports management company, to infuse Rs 100 crores into the sport over the next 10 years.

Among other initiatives announced by WIFA at a press conference in the city yesterday, the most prominent were: the beginning of Asia’s biggest talent hunt for football across all genders and age groups, the revival of the 122-year-old Rovers Cup, an intensive coach and referee development program, and pension schemes for former players in need.