From Fields to Fulfillment: The Evolution of BBFS

In a cricket-centric nation, where the cheers for football are often overshadowed, unfolds a story of grit, passion, and an unwavering quest for a dream. Fourteen years ago, Kishore Taid, a once disillusioned investment banker seeking more from life, teamed up with his college friend Anurag Khilani, and they decided to embark on a journey that would change the course of football development in India.

Dawn of a Dream

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) was never supposed to be just an academy; it was a vision born from a passion for football and a desire to provide opportunities that the founders themselves felt were lacking during their playing days.

Reflecting on the genesis of BBFS, Kishore nostalgically recalls, “When the time came for us to do something about the sport that we loved, the first thing that came to our mind was, why not help the next generation get what we did not get?”

Early Challenges and Triumphs

Yet, like any impactful journey, BBFS faced a fair share of roadblocks in its early days. Audacious steps were taken as they navigated a terrain with few competitors and even fewer believers. Attempts to align with the All India Football Federation, the governing body of the sport in the country, were met with resistance and discouragement.

Undeterred, the duo redirected their efforts toward an unconventional but pivotal figure and then captain of the Indian football team – Bhaichung Bhutia. The meeting with Bhaichung was set against the backdrop of the East Bengal ground, which became a turning point in the entrepreneurial journey of these two young men.

Funnily enough, Bhaichung’s first question to the duo, “Have both of you watched ‘Three Idiots’ and come here?” carried profound significance. The movie was released a year prior and underscored the essence of following one’s passion- a sentiment that connected with the founders and solidified their commitment to BBFS.

The Evolution of Purpose

As BBFS unfolded over the years, the vision extended beyond creating a football academy; it grew into a quest for a purposeful and fulfilling life.

The co-founders acknowledged that achieving goals, such as establishing elite-rated academies and facilitating players to represent the country, marked significant milestones. Yet, the deeper purpose was an ongoing development.

Explaining the difference between goals and purpose, here’s what Kishore had to say: “While goals are short-term metrics and achievements, purpose is a more profound, enduring objective.

Initially, our purpose was to provide opportunities to young footballers. Our goal was to create the best academy in the country and help children to play at a higher level.

Our goal has been achieved. But our purpose has undergone a lot of changes. And I think that’s because it is constantly evolving. Purpose can outlive you and me.”

Beyond the Game

With each new experience, the team came to understand that the underlying purpose of the company is to ensure that everyone associated with it—customers, clients, children, parents, staff, team members, coaches—can act as a vehicle for living a more fulfilled and happy life.

For BBFS, football transcends the status of a mere sport.

It becomes a medium for sharing experiences, transferring knowledge, and aiding individuals in leading satisfied and contented lives. Kishore underscores the reciprocal nature of imparting knowledge, emphasising the significant role of coaches and the learning process.

“Coaches play a crucial role in interacting with players, spending the most time with them. This means they need training beyond just technical skills. As the CEO, I understand the importance of this, and I must first comprehend it before teaching others.

These individuals then train more people and share their knowledge. Living by the principles we aim to instil, we create an environment where knowledge is efficiently passed on to coaches and players alike.”

A Vision Unfolding

BBFS, however, refuses to limit its impact solely to a few players on the football field, recognizing the necessity for a broader influence. While football has been instrumental in serving this purpose, BBFS has taken strides by delving into badminton and tennis, with new sports on the horizon.

In the course of this expansion, BBFS experienced a crucial realization- football and sports, while important, aren’t everything. “The most important and valuable thing we’ve got in our lives is life itself. This realization changes the game, pushing for a new perspective. Understanding that our lives, both individually and together, take center stage”, Kishore says rather profoundly.

And so BBFS aimed to extend beyond sports and actively contribute to improving people’s lives. “In essence, everything we do through sports, including football, aims to construct a better life for ourselves, extending even to the educational and academic systems of any country. The ultimate goal remains to help every participant in these systems build a better life for themselves.”

This evolution, from seeking to create the best football academy to fostering a purposeful life journey, underscores BBFS’s commitment to more than just athletic prowess. As the organization continues to script its narrative, the ball keeps rolling, not merely on the field but in the lives forever changed by the relentless pursuit of a dream.

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