The All India Football Federation (AIFF), after consultation with its Competitions Committee, has decided to introduce a men’s U-20 national championship.
The annual tournament is called the National U-20 Football Championship. The first championship will be held in January-February 2024.
Players born on or after January 1, 2005 and no later than December 31, 2007 are eligible to play for the current season.
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Introducing the U-20 Championship, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said, “We are launching this tournament after extensive discussions with our Technical Department and Competitions Committee.” The AIFF previously held an U-21 National Championship, but it was discontinued a few years ago.
“Our main goal in this championship is to provide more opportunities for the U-20 age group footballers who may not make the team for the national Santosh Trophy senior football championship for their respective states,” he said.
Chaubey also pointed out that this tournament will provide aspiring footballers with the perfect entry point into the world of professional football as there are two more age groups of national football championships for sub-junior and junior.
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AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran said: “The AIFF’s launch of the U20 National Youth Championship will further nurture young players who have unfortunately been unable to compete at youth level during the COVID period.”
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and is published via a syndicated news outlet feed – PTI.)
2023-07-21 10:24:38
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