New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), government of Odisha, have renewed their partnership to strengthen elite youth football development in the country, extending the collaboration for another five years through a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by DSYS Director Dr Vijay Yeddula and AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan in the presence of AIFF Technical Director Syed Sabir Pasha.
The renewed pact builds upon the football development programme launched under the earlier MoU signed in November 2023, according to an AIFF release.
Officials associated with the initiative said the partnership has already started producing encouraging results in a relatively short period, particularly through the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy.
According to AIFF officials, several players trained under the programme have progressed to top football academies and national team setups. The federation noted that four academy players have already entered the India U17 national team structure, while an Odisha-based female footballer advanced to the India U19 Women’s National Team.
The AIFF leadership said the continuation of the partnership reflects growing confidence in Odisha’s contribution to the development of Indian football. Federation officials stated that the performances achieved during the first phase of the collaboration demonstrated the potential of a structured grassroots and youth development system supported by long-term institutional backing.
The AIFF also highlighted the academy’s performance in the U17 AIFF Elite Youth League 2024-25, where the team reached the semi-finals, calling it a significant milestone achieved within less than two years of the programme’s launch.
Under the renewed agreement, the framework for football development is expected to become more structured with clearly defined responsibilities, governance mechanisms, financial commitments, and performance benchmarks. The programme will continue to function under FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, which is designed to align youth football training with international standards.
Officials said the project will focus on scientific player development methods, modern coaching systems, and creating a direct pathway for young footballers to move into professional and national-level football.
As part of the collaboration, the AIFF will oversee the technical and operational aspects of talent identification, coaching, and player development, while the Odisha government, through DSYS, will continue to provide financial assistance, infrastructure, and institutional support for the academy and associated programmes.
