ARA FC

Ahmedabad Racquet Academy (ARA) started its journey as a professional multi-sports academy in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which mainly consists of racquet sports and has been running since 2011 and began participating in Ahmedabad Junior league.[https://ahmedabadmirror.com/ara-fc-script-stunning-wins/71282350.html ARA FC scripts stunning wins] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008181624/https://ahmedabadmirror.com/ara-fc-script-stunning-wins/71282350.html |date=8 October 2021 }} The Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 8 October 2021.{{cite web|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.com/darsh-helps-flory-fc-flourish-in-ahmedabad-baby-league/71225690.html|title=Ahmedabad Baby League: Flory FC Wins 5-3 Against ARA FC|access-date=8 October 2021|website=Ahmedabad Mirror|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008181628/https://ahmedabadmirror.com/darsh-helps-flory-fc-flourish-in-ahmedabad-baby-league/71225690.html|url-status=live}} The football club was among the newest projects established by the academy in recent times as an initiative by owner Vikram Patel.{{cite web|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/local-sports/ara-fc-in-i-league-could-be-a-gamechanger-in-state/articleshow/67017272.cms|title=ARA FC in I-league could be a gamechanger in state|access-date=10 December 2018|website=ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com|archive-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202612/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/local-sports/ara-fc-in-i-league-could-be-a-gamechanger-in-state/articleshow/67017272.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/958180/football-how-ara-fc-became-gujarats-first-second-division-i-league-club|title=Football: How ARA FC became Gujarat’s first second division I-League club|website=Scroll.in|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729153514/https://amp.scroll.in/field/958180/football-how-ara-fc-became-gujarats-first-second-division-i-league-club|url-status=live}}

The existing academy owned by Patel emerged as ARA FC in 2016 to ensure development of football in the Indian state of Gujarat. On 19 July 2018, their academy were accredited and given two stars based on eligibility criteria, which allowed them to play in Youth League U18.{{cite web|url=http://www.arunfoot.com/aiff-academy-accreditation-for-india-results-for-2018-19-season-announced/|website=arunfoot.com|title=AIFF Academy accreditation for India results for 2018/19 season announced!|access-date=2018-12-08|archive-date=9 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124342/http://www.arunfoot.com/aiff-academy-accreditation-for-india-results-for-2018-19-season-announced/|url-status=live}} ARA as a club became affiliated with Gujarat State Football Association (GSFA) in 2017,{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/dhanraj-nathwani-unanimously-elected-president-of-gsfa/articleshow/59946866.cms|title=Dhanraj Nathwani unanimously elected president of GSFA|date=7 August 2017|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516040313/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/dhanraj-nathwani-unanimously-elected-president-of-gsfa/articleshow/59946866.cms|url-status=live}} and began competing in the ADFA Premier Division League.[https://ahmedabadmirror.com/adfa-1st-division-league-afc-on-the-move/72428975.html ADFA 1st Division League: AFC On The Move] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004080312/https://ahmedabadmirror.com/adfa-1st-division-league-afc-on-the-move/72428975.html |date=4 October 2021 }} Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 4 October 2021[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ahmedabad-district-senior-football-league-gets-underway/articleshow/25877175.cms Ahmedabad District Senior Football League Gets Underway] The Times of India. Retrieved 4 October 2021

On 20 November 2018, AIFF nominated ARA for proposed inclusion in the 2018–19 2nd Division League.{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/902834/football-state-associations-nominate-23-teams-for-second-division-of-i-league|author=Scroll Staff|website=scroll.in|title=Football: State associations nominate 23 teams for second division of I-League|access-date=2018-12-08|archive-date=24 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124040505/https://scroll.in/field/902834/football-state-associations-nominate-23-teams-for-second-division-of-i-league}}{{cite web|url=https://i-league.org/match-details/?mid=4115|title=ARA vs Hindustan|access-date=16 January 2019|website=i-league.org|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009035810/https://i-league.org/match-details/?mid=4115}} On 7 December, it was announced that ARA FC would be one of nine clubs to play that season.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Tentative decisions for 2nd Division League, Hero Super Cup announced|url=https://thebridge.in/tentative-dates-for-2nd-division-league-hero-super-cup-announced/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165326/https://thebridge.in/tentative-dates-for-2nd-division-league-hero-super-cup-announced/ |archive-date=9 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-08|website=The Bridge}} Thus the Ahmedabad-based club became the only team from the state competing in a domestic tier league.{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league-2nd-division/2019/preliminary-round/group-a/g12900/|title=I-League 2nd Division 2018-19, prilimenary round summary|website=Soccerway.com|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912191036/https://us.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league-2nd-division/2019/preliminary-round/group-a/g12900/|archive-date=12 September 2020}}

In their maiden I-League 2nd Division in the 2018–19 season,{{cite web|title=Hero 2nd Division League set to kick-off on January 12|url=https://i-league.org/hero-2nd-division-league-set-to-kick-off-on-january-12/|website=i-league.org|publisher=Hero I-League|date=9 January 2019|access-date=6 Apr 2019|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406112558/https://i-league.org/hero-2nd-division-league-set-to-kick-off-on-january-12/}} ARA finished on fourth place in Group A with 11 points in 8 matches as Lonestar Kashmir progressed to the final round.{{cite web|title=ARA FC of to a flier|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/ara-fc-off-to-a-flier/articleshow/67562764.cms|website=Ahmedabad Mirror|access-date=29 July 2021|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201121051/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/ara-fc-off-to-a-flier/articleshow/67562764.cms}}{{cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league-2nd-division/2019/preliminary-round/group-a/g12900/|title=I-League 2nd Division 2018–19 detailed statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912191036/https://us.soccerway.com/national/india/i-league-2nd-division/2019/preliminary-round/group-a/g12900/|archive-date=12 September 2020|website=us.soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=29 July 2021}}

They were nominated for participating in the 2021 I-League Qualifiers, since emerging victorious in Gandhinagar Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://footballexpress.in/tag/ara-fc/|title=Overview: ARA FC — Formation History and Trophies|website=footballexpress.in|publisher=Football Express India|access-date=23 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523232154/https://footballexpress.in/tag/ara-fc/|archive-date=23 May 2023}} They began their journey with a 1–1 draw against Corbett FC on 5 October at the Bangalore Football Stadium{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/i-league-qualifiers-2021-ara-fc-strike-late-to-hold-corbett-fc-to-1-1-draw-4287893.html|title=I-League Qualifiers 2021: ARA FC Strike Late to Hold Corbett FC to 1–1 Draw|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008170437/https://www.news18.com/amp/news/football/i-league-qualifiers-2021-ara-fc-strike-late-to-hold-corbett-fc-to-1-1-draw-4287893.html|archive-date=8 October 2021|work=News18.com|access-date=8 October 2021}} but did not advanced to the final round.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/hero-i-league-qualifiers|title=Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006160908/https://www.the-aiff.com/competitions/hero-i-league-qualifiers|archive-date=6 October 2021|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|access-date=15 October 2021}} In February–March 2023, the club participated in Stafford Challenge Cup in Bangalore.{{cite web|url=https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup|title=THE HISTORY: STAFFORD CHALLENGE CUP – KARNATAKA|website=ksfa.in|publisher=Karnataka State Football Association|access-date=26 November 2022|location=Bengaluru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224073556/https://www.ksfa.in/staffordchallengecup|archive-date=24 February 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Stafford Challenge Cup: A Brief History of Time |url=https://theawayend.co/2023/02/23/stafford-challenge-cup-a-brief-history-of-time/ |date=23 February 2023 |website=theawayend.co |publisher=The Away End |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224070459/https://theawayend.co/2023/02/23/stafford-challenge-cup-a-brief-history-of-time/ }} In August 2023, ARA gained I-League 3 spot to compete in the inaugural edition.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=Major AIFF Decisions: 15 Clubs Nominated In 3rd Division; Youth Quota In I League Teams |url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/19829-major-aiff-decisions-15-clubs-nominated-in-3rd-division-youth-quota-in-i-league-teams |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=thefangarage.com |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918105857/https://thefangarage.com/articles/19829-major-aiff-decisions-15-clubs-nominated-in-3rd-division-youth-quota-in-i-league-teams }}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=AIFF League Committee: Youth quota for I-League, State FAs nominate 3rd Division League clubs |url=https://theawayend.co/2023/08/22/aiff-league-committee-youth-quota-i-league-state-fas-nominate-3rd-division-league-clubs/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=The Away End |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108050756/https://theawayend.co/2023/08/22/aiff-league-committee-youth-quota-i-league-state-fas-nominate-3rd-division-league-clubs/ }}{{Cite web |first1=Flavio |last1=Lopes |date=25 September 2023 |agency=TNN |location=Panaji |title=THIRD DIVISION: Dempo to play at home, Sporting away |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/third-division-dempo-to-play-at-home-sporting-away/articleshow/103913923.cms |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |publisher=The Times of India |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928075342/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/third-division-dempo-to-play-at-home-sporting-away/articleshow/103913923.cms }}

File:EKA Arena Stadium(TransStadia).jpg by TransStadia, home ground of ARA]]

ARA FC plays its home matches at the EKA Arena, which has a capacity of 20,000 spectators.{{cite web|title=ARA FC off to a flier|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/ara-fc-off-to-a-flier/articleshow/67562764.cms|publisher=ahamedabadmirror.Indiatimes.com|access-date=16 January 2019|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117070334/https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/sports/others/ara-fc-off-to-a-flier/articleshow/67562764.cms|url-status=live}} The stadium is located in Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad, and has additional 10,000 temporary seats on the pitch area.{{cite web |title=TransStadia Pitch |url=https://transstadia.com/pitch/# |website=transstadia.com |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806071917/https://www.transstadia.com/pitch/ |url-status=live }}

File:Aka arena .jpg

{{updated|13 March 2023}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=sangramjith Roy}}

{{Fs player|no=2|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Daniel}}

{{Fs player|no=3|nat=India|pos=DF|name=Surajit Seal}}

{{Fs player|no=5|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Vivekananda Sagayaraj}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Hijam Lenin Singh}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Manvir Singh}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Rutig Ahirrao}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Fredsan Marshall}}

{{Fs player|no=10|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Jacob John}}

{{Fs player|no=12|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Shanid Valan}}

{{Fs player|no=13|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Parnenda Singh Thakur}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=D Sheltohn Paul}}

{{Fs player|no=15|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Lalthankuma}}

{{fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=16|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Pratik Swami}}

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Aditya Prathap}}

{{Fs player|no=18|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Vedant Kharkrwal}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Prabin Tigga}}

{{Fs player|no=20|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Lalruatmawia}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=Vishal Rajkumar Dube}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Khaidem Vicky Meitei}}

{{Fs player|no=24|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Rakesh Oram}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=IND|pos=FW|name=Jay Kanani}}

{{Fs player|no=27|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Palash Barber}}

{{Fs player|no=28|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Bikramjit Singh}}

{{Fs player|no=30|nat=IND|pos=DF|name=Jenishsinh Rana}}

{{Fs player|no=31|nat=IND|pos=GK|name=Ankit Bhuyan}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=IND|pos=MF|name=Yami Longvah}}

{{Fs end}}

{{updated|12 November 2019}}

• Gujarat SFA Club Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/114934545792861/posts/pfbid0Mz7w4sbWxTDUhZEsGDoWWafMJgKZJjahuzrkycZQd3nLzavdihXKQmn46i5kkXSfl/?mibextid=Nif5oz|title=2nd year of GSFA Club Championship|publisher=Gujarat State Football Association|access-date=13 January 2023|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113112413/https://www.facebook.com/114934545792861/posts/pfbid0Mz7w4sbWxTDUhZEsGDoWWafMJgKZJjahuzrkycZQd3nLzavdihXKQmn46i5kkXSfl/?mibextid=Nif5oz}}{{cite web|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2022/03/03/gsfa-announces-the-first-ever-gujarat-state-club-football-championship/|title=GSFA announces the first ever Gujarat State Club Football Championship|publisher=Desh Gujarat|date=3 March 2022|access-date=13 January 2023|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113113002/https://www.deshgujarat.com/2022/03/03/gsfa-announces-the-first-ever-gujarat-state-club-football-championship/}}{{cite web|url=https://theawayend.co/gsfa-senior-club-championship/|title=GSFA Senior Club Championship|publisher=The Away End|access-date=13 January 2023|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113112215/https://theawayend.co/gsfa-senior-club-championship/}}
• Champions (2): 2022, 2025
• ADFA Ahmedabad District League 2nd Division
• Champions (1): 2017{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/958180/football-how-ara-fc-became-gujarats-first-second-division-i-league-club|title=Football: State associations nominate 23 teams for second division of I-League|access-date=8 October 2021|website=Scroll.in|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729153514/https://amp.scroll.in/field/958180/football-how-ara-fc-became-gujarats-first-second-division-i-league-club}}
• ADFA Ahmedabad District League 1st Division
• Champions (2): 2018, 2021–22
• Gandhinagar Premier League
• Champions (1): 2020–21

• Heritage Cup Jaipur
• Champions (1): 2020

;Key

• Tms. = Number of teams
• Pos. = Position in league
• Attendance/G = Average league attendance

updated on 25 October 2020

For current and former notable ARA FC players with a Wikipedia article, see: ARA FC players.

ARA FC has its women's football team that competes in the Indian Women's League, the highest division of Indian women's football.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/indian-womens-league-ara-fc-aim-to-be-organised-against-dominant-sethu-fc/articleshow/90937950.cms|title=Indian Women's League: ARA FC aim to be organised against dominant Sethu FC|date=19 April 2022|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421054149/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/indian-womens-league-ara-fc-aim-to-be-organised-against-dominant-sethu-fc/articleshow/90937950.cms|archive-date=21 April 2022|url-status=live|location=Bhubaneswar|agency=Press Trust of India}} Before the kick-off of 2021–22 Indian Women's League season, four teams including ARA Women from four states played each other once in April 2022, in the qualifying round at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi and they qualified for the final round after topping the group.{{cite web|url=https://thebridge.in/football/ara-fc-defeat-ywc-qualify-indian-women-league-2022-30487|title=ARA FC defeat YWC 4-3, qualify for Indian Women's League 2022|agency=Press Trust of India|date=5 April 2022|website=thebridge.in|publisher=The Bridge|access-date=21 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421053332/https://thebridge.in/football/ara-fc-defeat-ywc-qualify-indian-women-league-2022-30487|archive-date=21 April 2022}}

Honours

• Gujarat State Women's League
• Champions (1): 2021–22{{cite web|url=https://theawayend.co/gujarat-state-womens-league/|title=Gujarat State Women’s League — Overview|website=theawayend.co|publisher=The Away End Sports|access-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006071709/https://theawayend.co/gujarat-state-womens-league/|archive-date=6 October 2022}}
• Third place (1): 2022–23

Youth men's team of ARA competes in the Ahmedabad Elite Youth Cup Ahmedabad.{{Cite web|title=Elite Youth Cup to kick-off in Ahmedabad on January 3|date=2 January 2022|first=Ritabrata|last=Banerjee|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/elite-youth-cup-to-kick-off-in-ahmedabad-on-january-3/blt6f9f2e513809e6ee|access-date=2022-01-07|website=goal.com|archive-date=7 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107124630/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/elite-youth-cup-to-kick-off-in-ahmedabad-on-january-3/blt6f9f2e513809e6ee}} Club's U17 team participated in "regional group stages" of 2022–23 U-17 Youth Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/49-teams-to-participate-in-aiff-elite-youth-league-2022-23|title=49 teams to participate in AIFF Elite Youth League 2022–23|date=7 December 2022|access-date=28 January 2023|location=New Delhi|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|archive-date=8 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208054612/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/49-teams-to-participate-in-aiff-elite-youth-league-2022-23}}

Football Academy of ARA FC gained 'elite category' accreditation by the All India Football Federation in December 2023.{{Cite web |title=List of AIFF accredited 'Elite Category' academies for 2023–24 season |url=https://khelnow.com/football/2023-12-indian-football-aiff-accredited-elite-category-academy-list |date=4 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=khelnow.com |publisher=Khel Now News |first1=Rahul |last1=Patra |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214082259/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-12-indian-football-aiff-accredited-elite-category-academy-list |archive-date=14 December 2023 }}

• List of football clubs in India

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|url=https://i-league.org/match-details/?mid=4115|title=Match report: ARA vs Hindustan|access-date=16 January 2019|website=i-league.org|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009035810/https://i-league.org/match-details/?mid=4115}}
• {{cite web |title=ARA 5–0 Mumbai City Reserves |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/cms/7284 |website=All India Football Federation |access-date=11 December 2021 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211132412/https://www.the-aiff.com/match-center/cms/7284 }}
• {{Cite web |title=I-League Qualifiers: Bhawanipore FC Sign Off with Comfortable 2–0 Win over ARA FC|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-qualifiers-bhawanipore-fc-sign-off-with-comfortable-2-0-win-over-ara-fc-2982248.html|date=19 October 2020|location=Kolkata|publisher=News18|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111112224/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/i-league-qualifiers-bhawanipore-fc-sign-off-with-comfortable-2-0-win-over-ara-fc-2982248.html}}

• [https://www.the-aiff.com/club/players/11783/6 ARA Football Club] at the-aiff.com
• [https://spotik.in/ara-fc-residential-program-2nd-division-ileague-club/ Team info] at spotik.in
• [https://globalsportsarchive.com/team/soccer/ara-fc/38866/ Team info] at Global Sports Archive
• [https://www.aninews.in/topic/ara-fc/ ARA FC archives] at ANI News

{{I-League 2nd Division}}

Category:Football clubs in Gujarat

Category:I-League 2 clubs

Category:I-League 3 clubs

Category:Women's football clubs in India

Category:Indian Women's League clubs

Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 2016

Category:2016 establishments in Gujarat

Category:Sport in Ahmedabad