In the quest to unearth more talented players ahead of the ensuing FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is organising three scouting camps under Abhishek Yadav, Director, AIFF.

AIFF has asked all the 55 clubs playing in the ongoing AIFF U-16 Youth League to nominate three players for the respective camps where they would be scrutinised further keeping an eye on the present India U-17 National Team.

Abhishek Yadav, who is also the Chief Operating Officer of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 believes that these three scouting programs will help to find more talented players who might eventually represent India in the World Cup.

“It gives us an opportunity to see the three best players of respective teams playing in the league,” he said. “With the advent of the U-15 Youth League, we tapped on to more talents last year. Now this scouting program will definitely churn out more talents ahead of the World Cup, which is less than 12 months away from now,” he commented while speaking exclusively to AIFF Media.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar also sounded pretty optimistic about the forthcoming scouting program.

“We have already seen a jump in the numbers in participating teams this season. It rightly indicates the positivity amongst the clubs and academies towards grassroots development. Now this scouting program will further aid our FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign,” he stated.

“Who knows, someone from this scouting program might turn out to be the lynchpin of Nicolai’s team in the upcoming U-17 World Cup,” Dhar sounded optimistic.

Abhishek Yadav who earned huge plaudits for implementing the online portal to tap in the overseas prodigies with a valid Indian Passport underlined that they will have a rigorous camp ahead to come out with the best talents from the camps.

“After having a look at the players we will zero down on the possible talent and if a particular player fits in, it will be a bonus,” he signed off on a positive note.

The three camps are slated to be organised on the following dates and venues:

Date: November 19 & 20, 2016
Venue: Kolkata

Date: November 25 & 26, 2016
Venue: Goa

Date: November 28 & 29, 2016
Venue: Delhi

(Report & Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)