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AU Rajasthan FC announces Baby League to promote young footballers in Rajasthan

AU Rajasthan FC announces Baby League to promote young footballers in Rajasthan. (Image courtesy: AU Rajasthan FC)
AU Rajasthan FC announces Baby League to promote young footballers in Rajasthan. Image courtesy: AU Rajasthan FC

AU Rajasthan FC, the first fully professional football club in Rajasthan, has announced the AIFF Baby League in Jaipur, a first ever in the state. This structured league system aims to give children, both girls and boys, from the age of 5 to 12, regular exposure to competitive football over a period of six months in order to develop an essential skillset, instill confidence and discipline, and create a base of players who can be nurtured further. The league will start from October 7th and will run for a duration of around 10 weeks in a dual leg league system. During the league, competitive games will be organized under the supervision of AIFF licensed referees & coaches for over 500 children who will be divided into 4 age groups — U-6, U-8, U-10 & U-12.

Speaking on this unique initiative, Sohil Bhansali, (General Secretary), AU Rajasthan FC, said, “The league has been launched recognizing that training from a young age is an integral part of developing holistic skills and an early career in football. Rajasthan is yet to break new ground in its development of the sport and the league’s first edition will give the required impetus to the growth of the game, both for players and coaches.”

The league is being organized on every Sunday, thus not affecting the child’s school schedule. Participation is open to all schools, clubs, academies and individuals, with an emphasis on receiving maximum participation from girls. Following registration, individual players will be allocated into teams. he league is open to join as teams or as individuals who are later made to join a team. It will be held at the RRPC grounds, Jaisinghpura, Jaipur, a state of the art football facility, and will be expanded to another venue in the city centre.

The league, is organized and operationally supervised by the AU Rajasthan FC with the support of AU Small Finance Bank and shall be conducted under the technical supervision of Rajasthan Football Association (RFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). With the help of AU Small Finance Bank and the Rajasthan FA, the endeavour is to develop a consistent model of engagement with the sport and advance a culture of league-based football into the state.

Essential details regarding the operations of the league include:
• Who: Participation from children, both girls and boys between 5-12 years divided into 4 age groups — U-6, U-8, U-10, U-12
• When: Every Sunday starting October 7, 2018
• Where: RRPC ground, Jaisinghpura, Jaipur and expanded to venue in city centre
• No charges for registration: Register online at aurajasthanfc.com & rajasthanfa.in/babyleagues