The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is planning to introduce an under-15 league to help develop a pool of talent in time for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be hosted by the country in 2017.
Speaking after the special technical committee for the U-17 World Cup met for the first time here on Saturday, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said: “We would like to have an under-15 youth league which can comprise the I-League clubs, some of the AIFF academies, and some invited academies. Once the ISL franchises are fully set up, even they can participate.”
The I-League clubs will have an important role to play here, Das felt.
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“As per the licensing criteria, the I-League clubs are supposed to maintain an under-15 team. But the problem is we don’t have any tournaments to play in. So, we feel this sort of a national tournament can help. If we have this youth league, we have to ensure that I-League clubs prepare and develop a very good team.”
The under-15 league is one part of the scouting process, with the existing Coca Cola Cup expected to serve as the other major platform to spot talent. The new league is tentatively scheduled to begin in December, after the Coca Cola Cup.
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Also present at the special committee meeting were Salgaocar SC coach Derrick Pereira, Sunil Chhetri, AIFF technical director Rob Baan, and Wim Koevermans. Baan delivered a presentation on the preparation required, with foreign coaches and overseas exposure trips also discussed.