AIFF Elite Academy

The AIFF Elite Academy was the elite academy of the regional AIFF affiliated football academies. Founded on 1 February 2013, the Elite Academy started as a youth development project between the AIFF and FIFA.^[1] The Elite Academy is the final frontier for players who train at the AIFF regional academies in various parts of India.

AIFF Elite Academy

Full name	AIFF Elite Academy
Founded	2013; 11 years ago (2013)
Dissolved	2017; 7 years ago (2017) merged into Indian Arrows
Ground	Chowgule Sports Centre, Goa
Head coach	Floyd Pinto
League	Elite Youth League

History

In September 2011, it was announced that both All India Football Federation and FIFA would work together to set up various regional academies and one elite academy in India with the goal of developing youth footballers in the country.^[2] The first phase was starting of regional academies in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Sikkim.^[2] The second phase saw Chennai, Chandigarh, and Kerala getting academies by March 2013. Each academy consisted of 30-35 under-14 players who would eventually develop to the further youth stages.^[2]

Bangalore, Kolkata, and Delhi regional academies delayed while the Mumbai Academy was started with future India U23 coach, Arthur Papas.^[3] The reason given for the delay was due to the rampant age-cheating during trials for the regional academies. Of the 120 players selected after playing in the Subroto Cup and other youth competitions, 84 were found to be over-aged and not even acceptable for the under-16 category.^[3]

Eventually, the AIFF Elite Academy was launched in 2013.^[1] It was gradually integrated in the Indian Arrows.

2018 squad

^[4] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  IND Aditya Patra 3 DF  IND Ajin Tom 5 DF  IND Amal Das 6 DF  IND Bibin Boban 7 FW  IND Tanishq Dwivedi 8 MF  IND Lalengzama Vangchhia 11 FW  IND Ragav Gupta 12 FW  IND Rahul Yadav 14 FW  IND Abuthaheer

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF  IND Joseph Lalsanglura 17 MF  IND Bawitlung Lalnuntluanga 18 FW  IND Joysana Singh Nongthombam 19 MF  IND Biswa Kr. Darjee 22 FW  IND Rohmingthanga 27 MF  IND Givson Singh Moirangthem 31 GK  IND Haroon Mohammad 32 GK  IND Samik Mitra 33 GK  IND Jaskaranbir Singh

See also

• Elite League
• Junior National Football Championship
• Subroto Cup
• Football in India
• Indian football league system
• History of Indian football
• Reliance Foundation Development League

References

1. "India gear up for Qatar in AFC U-19 qualifiers". FirstPost. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
2. "AIFF-FIFA to set up academies in India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
3. Kapadia, Novy. "A look at the AIFF's regional academies". SportsKeeda. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
4. "AIFF Elite Academy Squad". I-League U-18. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.