November 05, 2024 13:25 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Pakistan's Lahore has become world's most polluted city with an AQI of 1900 on Sunday | Indian Army 'successfully completes' patrolling to a key point in Ladakh's Depsang region | US presidential election: Donald Trump ahead of Kamala Harris in swing states, poll survey predicts | 'I strongly condemn Hindu temple attack, intimidation of our diplomats': PM Modi amid Canada row | 'I strongly condemn Hindu temple attack, intimidation of our diplomats': PM Modi amid Canada row
50 teams to participate in U-16 youth league

50 teams to participate in U-16 youth league

| | 02 Aug 2016, 03:50 pm
New Delhi, Aug 2 (IBNS): In what is a balanced representation of Teams from all over India, the second edition of the U-16 Youth League scheduled to kick-off in September 2016 will feature 50 odd Teams battling for the top honours. This comes after the grand success of the inaugural edition where 39 Teams had participated last season.

Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League indicated about growing interest amongst the Academies and the Clubs. “That’s the aspect which we are looking for,” he said. “Last season 39 Teams had competed in the Youth League but the number has jumped to 50 this season, which is more than overwhelming,” he added.


AIFF Technical Director Scott O’Donell maintained the magic mark of 50 showed the “positive intent.”


"Reaching the magic figure of 50 in the second year of the U-16 Youth League shows the positive intent among the Clubs and private Academies. They deserve due credit for their untiring effort towards building up the Teams,” he said in a chat to www.the-aiff.com.

Complementing O’Donell, Dhar further stated that “it only reflects the increasing level of the interest among the kids towards the ‘Beautiful game.’ All India Football Federation has always aimed in broad-basing the game and this shows we are on the right track.”

“Playing competitive Football is a big part of a young Player’s development. The U-16 Youth League will give the Players (and Coaches) the opportunity to test themselves against Teams from other States. The first edition of the U-15 Youth League was a huge success and it is great to see even more Teams expressing their interest,” O’Donell opined.

The inaugural edition saw Minerva Academy FC overwhelming Royal Wahingdoh FC in the high-octane final in Goa to conquer the silverware.

The League which has conceptualised as the U-15 Youth League has been rechristened to U-16 Youth League keeping the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 in mind.

Perhaps the most significant aspect stays the participation of three Teams from Kashmir. After LoneStar Kashmir’s success, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Real Kashmir have also enrolled them for the U-16 Youth League, thus making it to three Teams from the State.

“I can’t recollect three Teams from Kashmir playing in a National Tournament -- and this is U-16 Youth League. We welcome Teams from all nook and corners in the League. This League itself is in a League of its own,” Dhar commented.

Another notable feature has been the keenness to participate from Gujarat, the home State of India’s Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi. Sports Authority of Gujarat and Kahaani FC will flaunt the colours of Gujarat in the U-16 Youth League this season.

Besides, the State of Kerala has also strengthened its presence in the league as three more Teams are going to join the contingent along with Kovalam FC from God's own Country. Prodigy FA, who have passed the Academy Accreditation Test with flying colours will be joined by SEPT FA and Red Star FC.

Image: AIFF Media

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.