By Gosego Phutieagae

The landscape of football talent identification is being transformed by data analytics, and the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Soccer Institute at the Mahikeng Campus is positioning itself at the forefront of this high-tech evolution.

According to Upidkumar Patel, the institute's head of performance and data analysis, leveraging modern data is key to unearthing the stars of tomorrow.

Upidkumar recently sharpened his expertise at a national talent identification workshop. The event, held at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria and hosted by Dr Walter Steenbok, brought together practitioners to explore the fusion of data, sports science, and traditional scouting methods.

The push for these new, integrated approaches is driven by the need to move beyond subjective observation. By combining data with traditional expertise, clubs can build more objective and comprehensive profiles of young athletes, reducing the risk of overlooking hidden gems and making the development pathway more efficient and effective.

During the workshop, attendees examined how these elements can be combined to more effectively identify and nurture emerging talent. Key sessions focused on evidence-based scouting models, long-term athlete development principles, early-talent tracking systems, and the performance-analysis frameworks currently used at the elite level of the sport.

"The exposure to best practices has significantly broadened my perspective on the entire talent pathway, from grassroots development all the way to elite performance," Upidkumar said.

He highlighted several key takeaways from the workshop, including a deeper understanding of advanced talent identification systems, practical tools for player evaluation, and strategies for more seamlessly integrating analytics with traditional on-field scouting.

"Connecting with professionals from diverse sporting environments and understanding their unique approaches to the game added immense value," Upidkumar noted. "These insights will be instrumental in helping us build more robust performance profiles for our athletes and, ultimately, foster a more competitive environment within the institute."

Looking ahead, Upidkumar plans to apply his new knowledge to refine the institute's recruitment frameworks and strengthen its athlete development models. By improving performance-analysis processes, he aims to equip the NWU coaching staff with clearer, data-driven insights to support their decision-making.

Upidkumar Patel