All India Football Federation signs Subroto Cup MoU

All India Football Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) to promote youth football, in a function held in New Delhi, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Both AIFF and SMSES will benefit from this MoU that will see prestigious Subroto Cup, an inter-school football tournament, being raised to newer heights.

AIFF Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran said, “Collaborating with Subroto Cup is ar decision to furr strengn our youth football structure and that way, our schools will be much more integrated into competitive football structure in India. This collaboration between Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society and AIFF will bring a lot of positive changes in organisation and overall impact of Subroto Cup, which will make a big change in youth football ecosystem in larger scheme of things.

“It will encour more schoolgirls to be a part of football and also help us scout new talents from Subroto Cup, which would furr motivate more schoolchildren to be a part of game. Overall, this historic day for Indian Football and for Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society is going to be a significant moment,” said Dr Prabhakaran.

Air Vice-Marshal Alok Sharma said, “We have got talent and psychological map of best students. We have got vision of 2047 from Prime Minister, and AIFF’s vision, which is also for same year. So when I heard about this vision, re was doubt that we have to be a part of it, and re was doubt that we will be able to contribute to it.

“t that long ago, were we discussing how to get this done. It has w materialised in a short duration, and I am thankful to AIFF for it. Let’s produce results, as that will be icing on cake,” said Mr Sharma. “ process is good, and w it’s time for us to get results. major takeaway for us will be that students will w have aspiration of playing for India one day. y will be playing with best, getting advice from good coaches, performing at a level where someone is looking at ir future."

This MoU will see SMSES field a Subroto XI team in AIFF’s youth competitions, which will be formed from by scouting best players across various categories of Subroto Cup. Selection Committee of aforementioned Subroto XI will comprise one member deputed by SMSES, and one minated member from Sports Authority of India (SAI), along with two scouts minated by AIFF, to form a four-member committee.

Selection Committee shall be responsible for identifying top players and reafter called up to Subroto XI team of ir respective categories. AIFF, for its part, will allow Subroto XI direct entry into AIFF Youth Leagues for both boys and girls across various categories from 2023-24 season onwards.

Twenty-five players will be identified by Selection Committee from each of U-17 Boys and Girls categories for a one-time cash scholarship of Rs 25,000/- for every player. same award for Sub-Junior (U-14) category will be Rs 15,000/- each.

players scouted from Subroto Cup across various categories will also be assessed using an IT-assisted Talent Development Scheme, and n be invited to attend National Team training camps of ir respective categories. AIFF will also tify ISL, I-League, and IWL clubs to depute ir scouts once match schedule for Subroto Cup is provided.

MoU will also see various marketing collaborations between AIFF and SMSES for Subroto Cup, with tournament being produced and broadcast in a never-before-seen manner.

AIFF will also assist SMSES in detection of players in Subroto Cup via TW3 method from 2023-24 season onwards. Dedicated coach education programmes will also be undertaken for coaches of teams in Final Rounds.

Following completion of tournament, AIFF will also identify D License coaches from Final Round teams and devise a suitable plan to upskill said coaches to AIFF C License.