Accredited Academies

An integral part of AIFF’s Vision and Mission is to improve playing standards and increase the possibility of success at the top level. The development of aspiring young talents is at the core of these objectives, and Academy Accreditation process introduced by AIFF is a step taken to strengthen and improve the Youth Development System in the country.

The AIFF, in close collaboration with its State Football Associations (hereafter SFAs), through this Academy Accreditation process grades clubs and academies’ Youth Development Structure and offers them national recognition for the standards attained.

Together, AIFF and the FAs will set the benchmark for player development in training centres and support the clubs and their academies in nurturing the next generation of top-level professional players.

• AIFF supports the SFAs with the establishment and /development of their youth academies/clubs and provide national recognition to those academies/clubs.
• Establishing these academies/clubs helps in developing professional players who have a relationship or/ an identity with the training clubs/academies.
• The vital role of the academies/clubs acting as a link between grassroots football and the professional football is ensured.
• The Accreditation process helps in improving the game in the country by stimulating a greater interest in structured, high-quality player development programs.
• The requirement to employ appropriately educated youth coaches have a significant impact on player development.
• Minimum standards are set, comparisons are made and healthy competition between academies/clubs across the country follows.
• Talent identification and recruitment policies for the top level professional players in the country are addressed.
• The aim to find India’s next generation of star players are fulfilled.

• AIFF Academy Accreditation is a key criteria for clubs/academies to be eligible for participation in the AIFF Youth League competitions.
• Coaches registered with Academies/Clubs accredited by AIFF, will be given preference, to upgrade their coaching licenses.

Any entity with a youth development structure that is affiliated or registered under the State Football Association of its location can apply for accreditation application. All players registered under the academy/club must be registered with the AIFF Central Registration System (AIFF CRS) and all coaches/officials employed by the Academy/Club must be registered with the AIFF Coaches Registration System.

There are 11 criteria under the AIFF Academy Accreditation process:

•  Training Elite Youth Age-Groups with Registered Players (Boys) (between 12-18)
•  Licensed Technical Staff
•  Approved Curriculum & Training Plan
• Facilities & Infrastructure
• Leagues & Competition (including AIFF Baby Leagues)
• Talent Identification & Recruitment
• Player Progression
• Medical Provisions
• Administrative Support
• Training Elite Youth Age-Groups with Registered Players (Girls) (between 12-18)
• Football Education Programmes - Events

Once the Academy Accreditation rules and regulations are published and announced on the AIFF website for the upcoming season, any entity with a youth development structure interested in securing the accreditation from AIFF are required to download and go through the document. The document enlists all required criteria to be fulfilled in order to get accreditation and also the procedure to apply for the same. To apply for accreditation, the applicant must fill and sent in the application form along with the application fee to AIFF and make all the necessary submissions on the Accreditation portal within the stipulated application window. Once the application window closes, appointed AIFF assessors, will assess the submissions made by the applicant and visit the applicant’s office and all other facilities for a formal inspection. Following completion of inspection the assessor will provide an analytical feedback reviewing all document submissions made and on the inspection done and inform the applicant of any shortcoming (if any), or if they have met the standard and attained the accreditation. All organisations that successfully attain the AIFF Academy Accreditation will be required to have an annual re-assessment to ensure that the organisation is maintaining the standards outlined within the accreditation rules and regulations.