India’s best U-16 teams to jostle for top honours in Goa

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has joined hands with Dream Sports to boost youth development and strengthen under-16 football in the country.

The AIFF Junior League has now been re-branded as the Dream Sports Championship-AIFF Junior League Finals, the third edition of which will be held in Goa between May 3 and May 14.

The tournament will feature 16 teams from across India, with league-stage matches scheduled at Raia and Utorda. The final will be held at the Atal Stadium in Bambolim.

“Indian football needs strong, structured pathways for young talent to progress and thrive,” said Neel Shah, CEO, Dream Sports Foundation. “Our partnership with AIFF allows us to build on an existing national framework and elevate it through the Dream Sports Championship.”

AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said the partnership is a vital step in elevating the tournament’s standards.

“By strengthening the competitive pathway at this level, we are directly investing in the future of the sport and the long-term growth of the India U17 national team,” said Satyanarayan.

Meanwhile, Dream Sports Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with the Premier League for the upcoming championship in Goa.

The organisers said the Premier League will deliver a series of high-impact coach-development workshops and masterclasses for participating coaches and support staff at the Dream Sports Championship and the AIFF under-16 Junior League.

“These sessions will focus on areas such as training methodology, match management, physical conditioning, psychology and leadership, as well as bringing global best practices to the Indian football academies’ ecosystem,” Dream Sports said on Thursday.
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