Homegrown players the flavour as AIFF adds U-13 league alongside U-15 & U-18 leagues
The quota of homegrown players will ensure a sustained development of footballers in a more diversified topography in the country and is a welcome move.
In pursuit of creating a robust football structure across the length and breadth of the country, the All India Football Federation has always been supportive and encouraging to the Grassroots Football. As many as 206 teams will ply their trade across the three different age-group competitions this season which will kick-off in October 2017.
Teams from I-league, Indian Super League, Second Division League (as per last year only), Sports Authority of India and accredited academies under the AIFF Academy Accreditation Program are going to participate in the three separate Youth Leagues (U-13, U-15 and U-18 age-groups).
It'll be the first season of the U-13 Youth League while the U-15 Youth League will fall into its third season.
Speaking on the huge participation in the youth leagues, Mr Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League said, "206 is a huge number and it rightly depicts that we're heading towards the right direction to broad base the youth football across the country."
ALSO READ:
Revisiting Bengaluru FC's rollercoaster ride in the AFC Cup
East Bengal finds injured Caribbean defender Carlyle Mitchell's replacement
AIFF ratifies move to restrict I-League 2nd Division clubs to three foreigners in positive step
I’ve the challenge to defend the title: Aizawl FC coach Paulo Meneses
This is the first instance when the AIFF will implement the 'Homegrown' rule which signifies that each of the 206 teams has to register a minimum number of 6 homegrown players in the squad. A player who is born in the same state where the parent club is registered will be tagged as a 'Homegrown' player.
Mr Dhar stated, "This Homegrown rule will not only help us reach out to every nook and cranny of the country but also aid the State associations to build a strong football pyramid. Eventually, it'll serve its purpose to pick the talents across the whole nation but not from certain pockets of the country."
When 80 teams have already confirmed their participation in the U-15 age group, 70 and 56 teams will take part in the U-13 and U-18 Youth League respectively.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]U-18 Youth League Qualifying round is scheduled to start in Chennai, Maharashtra, Kolkata and Delhi at a time on November 20, 2017.
Having the pre-qualifying rounds for U-15 and U-13 Youth League already kicked off in New Delhi, the U-15 and U-13 Youth League qualifying rounds are scheduled to start on October 26, 2017, and October 28, 2017, respectively.
Latest News
- Swami Vivekananda U-20 NFC: Manipur qualify for quarter-finals with draw against Odisha
- Cole Palmer returns to Chelsea training after missing midweek game against Arsenal
- I-League 2023-24: Gyamar Nikum named Best Emerging Player
- New England vs Inter Miami Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast
- Canada national football team contact Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jesse Marsch over vacant manager job
Trending Articles
- Scouting Report: Who is East Bengal's bright talent Sayan Banerjee?
- Which clubs have won ISL Trophy in the past?
- Anju Turambekar appointed AFC Youth Panel Member to represent Singapore
- Hyderabad FC handed 'another' FIFA transfer ban
- Jahouh's domination and other talking points from Odisha FC's win over Mohun Bagan
Editor Picks
- All-Indian scorecard and other talking points from ISL semi-final between FC Goa and Mumbai City FC
- Which clubs have won ISL Trophy in the past?
- Anju Turambekar appointed AFC Youth Panel Member to represent Singapore
- Top five players with most away goals in UEFA Champions League knockout phase
- Hyderabad FC handed 'another' FIFA transfer ban