Imagine your child’s passion for football taking them on a journey to the United States of America. For many Indian families, this dream is a distant reality, but for a select few, it’s become a tangible goal. The RCX Sports Foundation and the National Football League (NFL) have made this dream a reality for six talented Indian youth by announcing the winners of the 2026 International Flag Football Scholarship.
The scholarship, which covers full tuition fees and living expenses, will enable these young athletes to pursue their passion for flag football at top American colleges. The selected students will study and play flag football in the US, gaining invaluable experience and skills that will help them make a name for themselves in the sport. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to learn from the best and make connections that will last a lifetime.
Meet the Winners
The winners of the 2026 International Flag Football Scholarship are:
- Rahul Kumar from Delhi, who has been playing flag football since he was 10 years old.
- Pranav Jain from Mumbai, who has represented India in several international flag football tournaments.
- Shivani Rao from Bengaluru, who is a skilled flag football player and has won several awards at national and international levels.
- Aryan Singh from Chandigarh, who has been playing flag football for over 5 years and has a passion for coaching.
- Avani Chavan from Pune, who has been a part of the Indian flag football team that won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
- Harshvardhan Singh from Jaipur, who has been playing flag football since he was 12 years old and has represented India in several international tournaments.
The Power of Flag Football
Flag football is a rapidly growing sport in India, with more and more young people taking to the field to play the game. The RCX Sports Foundation and the NFL have recognized the potential of flag football in India and have taken steps to promote the sport and develop its infrastructure. The International Flag Football Scholarship is a part of this effort, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent in the sport.
Flag football has several benefits for young players, including improved physical fitness, better teamwork and communication skills, and enhanced mental focus and discipline. It also provides a platform for young athletes to develop their leadership skills and learn to work together as a team.
Dr. Suresh Kalmadi, the founder of the RCX Sports Foundation, said, ‘We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 International Flag Football Scholarship. This scholarship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the young athletes who have been selected. We believe that flag football has the potential to become a leading sport in India and we are committed to supporting its growth and development.’
The NFL’s Senior Vice President, International Player Development, said, ‘We are proud to partner with the RCX Sports Foundation to promote flag football in India. We believe that this sport has the power to unite people and bring them together in a way that no other sport can. We are excited to see the winners of the scholarship make a name for themselves in the sport.’
As the winners of the 2026 International Flag Football Scholarship embark on their journey to the US, they will be carrying the hopes and dreams of their families and friends back home. For them, this scholarship is more than just a chance to study and play in the US – it’s a chance to make a difference in the world of flag football and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
What’s Next?
The winners of the 2026 International Flag Football Scholarship will begin their studies in the US in the fall of 2026. They will be living in dormitories on campus and will be coached by experienced flag football coaches. The scholarship will cover all their tuition fees, living expenses, and equipment costs, enabling them to focus on their studies and flag football without any financial worries.
We wish the winners of the scholarship all the best for their journey ahead and hope that they will make the most of this incredible opportunity. As they take on this new challenge, they will be inspiring countless young Indians to take up flag football and work towards making a name for themselves in the sport.
This scholarship is a testament to the power of passion and hard work, and we hope that it will inspire many more young Indians to pursue their dreams and make their mark in the world of flag football.
The RCX Sports Foundation and the NFL have set a high standard for flag football in India, and we can only expect great things from this sport in the years to come. With the growth of flag football in India, we can look forward to seeing more Indian players making a name for themselves in the sport and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.