Seventy applications have been received by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the Academy Accreditation process for the year 2017/18. The Academy Accreditation regulations were published in the first week of April and application windows were opened by the last for all entities interested in accrediting themselves with AIFF. The AIFF had also gone on to conduct workshops across various regions where a hundred and twenty five academies from all across India participated. The workshops were conducted to explain the accreditation procedure and its significance for youth development.

The number of applications have increased considerably from last season. This season’s window saw an increase of forty in the number from last season. The increase is a result of the popularity of the youth leagues where the Accreditation process forms a criteria for a team’s participation that does not come under the Club Licensing process. It also saw a conversion rate of more than fifty percent of the academies that attended the workshops. AIFF will assess the applications through required inspections and provide a star rating based on the inspections and set-ups.

The Academy Accreditation process introduced by the All India Football Federation is a step taken to strengthen and improve the Youth Development System in the country. Through the system, AIFF marks each academy that applies for accreditation on various criteria and gives a star rating based on the total points or marks received.

(AIFF Media)