Brand pledges backing for grassroots football after founder’s viral appeal highlights struggles of young athletes
National, September 1, 2025: The Souled Store, one of India’s leading lifestyle brands, has stepped forward to support Minerva Football Team, a grassroots academy renowned for producing some of the country’s brightest football talent and clinching victories at three global tournaments.
Despite its international achievements, Minerva has long battled financial challenges and a lack of sponsorships. The plight of the academy came into sharp focus recently when its founder and coach, Ranjit Bajaj, shared a series of emotional social media reels. In his videos, Bajaj spoke about the immense struggles faced in sustaining the academy—revealing that, at one point, he had to mortgage his wife’s jewellery to keep the team afloat. His appeal resonated widely, sparking a national conversation on the urgent need to support grassroots sports in India.
Responding to this call, The Souled Store extended its backing to Minerva. Commenting on the initiative, Vedang Patel, Co-Founder of The Souled Store, said:
“At The Souled Store, passion is at the heart of everything we do. While people know us for celebrating fandoms, this time we’re supporting something bigger—the dream of representing India. As a homegrown brand, it’s a proud moment to see our country making a mark on the global stage. Minerva’s work in shaping future football stars is remarkable, and we are proud to support these athletes. We hope more individuals and organizations join this mission.”
The collaboration marks more than just a corporate partnership; it symbolizes hope for thousands of children who aspire to don the Indian football jersey one day.
About The Souled Store
Founded in 2013, The Souled Store is India’s largest brand for official merchandise and pop-culture apparel, known for blending fashion with fandom. With a mission to celebrate passion and creativity, the brand continues to expand into new avenues of cultural impact.