Sporting Club Delhi: Reviving Football Culture in the Capital
Sporting Club Delhi: A New Era in Football
New Delhi, March 17: Sporting Club Delhi (SC Delhi) has quickly established itself as a prominent player in the football landscape of the capital, focusing on professional training, grassroots initiatives, and community involvement to cultivate football talent across India.
With a mission to enhance both competitive and recreational football, the club has already made significant strides in local and national competitions, inspiring a fresh wave of aspiring athletes and revitalizing the football culture in Delhi.
Initially launched as Hyderabad FC in August 2019, the club embarked on its professional journey during the 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) season.
However, prior to the ISL 2025-26 season, the club transitioned to New Delhi, the home city of its owners, and rebranded as Sporting Club Delhi, marking a significant return of top-tier professional football to the capital after a period of absence.
During the club's announcement, Dhruv Sood, the Chief Executive Officer, expressed that this new identity signifies Delhi's revival in the realm of professional football. He noted that the capital, once a vibrant hub for Indian football, is now reclaiming its place in the upper echelons of national leagues with its own team.
“Our new identity highlights Delhi's resurgence in the absence of professional football in the city and the surrounding region. With this transition, the capital, which once boasted a rich football culture, is set to return to the forefront of Indian football leagues with its own club,” stated Dhruv Sood.
Now under the ownership of the B.C. Jindal Group, the club is dedicated to fostering a robust, homegrown football culture in Delhi while offering a competitive and inclusive environment for players of all skill levels.
Sporting Club Delhi is officially affiliated with the Delhi Soccer Association and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), ensuring its operations align with national football governance standards.
In addition to its men's senior team, the club is committed to developing a comprehensive football ecosystem that encompasses a women's team, youth academy, and football schools throughout the Delhi-NCR region.
These initiatives aim to discover and nurture young talent from grassroots levels, providing structured training pathways through various age-group teams.
The overarching vision of Sporting Club Delhi is to rekindle the football spirit in Delhi through talent scouting, coaching excellence, and ongoing investment in fan engagement and community programs. The club is also enhancing its infrastructure with state-of-the-art training facilities, performance analytics, and sports science support to uphold professional standards across all age groups.
On February 15, Sporting Club Delhi played its first ISL match against Bengaluru FC, suffering a 2-0 defeat. Despite this initial challenge, the club remains focused on long-term growth, performance improvement, and holistic development.
On March 8, Sporting Club Delhi achieved its first-ever ISL point by staging a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 against Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.
After trailing 2-0, goals from Manoj Mohammad (45+2′) and a second-half equalizer allowed the B.C. Jindal Group-owned team to secure their first point in the league.
Sporting Club Delhi also aims to elevate the aspirational value of football in India, providing a solid platform for Indian talents to grow and compete on the global stage.
In addition to promoting the sport, the club is focused on connecting with the younger generation of fans in the region and nationwide, utilizing digital outreach, grassroots events, and fan-centric activities to cultivate a passionate supporter culture.
With its ambitious plans and structured initiatives, Sporting Club Delhi aspires not only to compete in the ISL but also to become a foundational element of Indian football, enhancing participation, performance, and pride within the capital's football community.