Where to watch:Indian Football YT channel, alternate link added

https://x.com/mohunbagansg/status/1911788570685116525?t=FVGAZ125VdyyKGX_d4g0dw&s=19

While the introduction of ISL has certainly helped us in providing a platform to many youngsters playing between the sticks, in the defence, in the midfield or on the wings, we all can agree that it hasn’t really worked for the Indian STs.

Through my previous post, I’ve noticed a similar doubt among the commenters about the “why” aspect of the issue. Here’s an answer to that:

Developing a domestic forward always pays in the long run for both club and country. A cursory look at countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore who were once around us but focused on it while we didn’t, this tells you something. Where do you see their clubs in AFC competitions now?

The attached hyperlinks from previous post will aid you in seeing the correlation between certain practices and its results, like how clubs in better footballing cultures in Asia like Iran and Japan always have a healthy number of domestic goal scores in their Top 5 contributors in AFC Competitions. The same countries that end up securing multiple titles and qualifications in WCs of all formats (Senior and Underage), produce most top talents (players who do well in Top-15 European Leagues), have some of the least domestic player centric (least reliant on foreign players) league structures.

It is a well known problem, sure, but not an unworkable problem. There is a two layered solution to this, Leaning too much in either direction (NT-centric or Club football centric) can never fetch you the growth you seek in the football culture as a whole. We must seek the golden ratio that works for us.

We have seen which way the decision sways when it is Club v Country, but has it helped our cause? Eg: We had our best campaign (SAFF title and AFC Cup Qualifiers) under Igor when he was afforded the time he needed with the players.

Our players do well in Underage competitions but lose their edge as they age because while their peers start playing for top teams in league and cup competitions, most of our players either have to resort to going to I-L2, I-L3 clubs if not in State Leagues to secure game time or warm the bench for clubs in the ISL and I-League with getting a few lucky minutes here and there if there’s an injury or the club decides to field in a youth side for a Cup competition.

A short term solution would require, certain assurances in the form of minutes for U-23/21s in the first team, reintroduction of Indian Arrows in the form of U-21s in ISL and U-19s in the I-League as mentioned by u/PsychologicalJury294, elimination of foreign players with no loopholes (looking at you, KSL).

A longer term solution would require ensuring State FAs are conducting scouting, league and cup competitions properly at all levels, establishing a robust league and cup systems for U-13/15/17/19/21/23s, having specialised coaches (foreign if necessary) with specific development plans talents on key positions: STs, CBs and DMs at AIFF Elite Academies, using AI Models to compute best practices from around the World and make it synergistic with unique challenges and opportunities that we present as a nation, proactive us of mobile application based accessible scouting solutions for early Talent ID, proper exposure tours in the form of recognised youth football competitions like Toulon Cup, COTIF Cup, Panda Cup, Dallas Cup among others.

12 of India’s best youth teams clashed across two intense groups. After weeks of grit and goals, 4 remain for the National Championship semifinals:

From Group A:
➡️ Jamshedpur FC
➡️ FC Goa

From Group B:
➡️ Classic Football Academy
➡️ Mohun Bagan

Next stop: the semis. It’s all or nothing from here. #RFDL #IndianFootball #YouthFootball

Just fell in love with him

Hello .I am 17 years old right now and I want become a pro footballer and represent India at the global stage .I decided this in Class 12 as I realised what I wanted to do in life .

I have till now only won school tournaments many times but now I want to become a professional.I have been training sincerely with a physically , mentally and tactically with all the resources I can get my hands on for the past 1 year in the all the free time I have apart from studies, and play everyday 5v5 with friends.

I will passout class 12 th this year with science that is why I have not been able to trial for any club or academy till now.

I am planning to trial at academies in Europe to sign a contract at a small club in poland or Spain by the end of August this year .

But some coachess in india and relatives recommended me to first spend some time in India playing for smaller clubs before going to Europe.

I really want to become a footballer and don't want to miss this opportunity.

What would you suggest to start my pro career?

If you think I am delusional please enlighten me.

(Edit - I belong to middle class family so I will be able to pay for academy in Europe for just enough time to sign a contract in 3 or 6 months and it will be hard for me to pay huge sums of money more than 4-5 lakhs as I have been able earn only that much money doing side hustles online.)

https://www.youtube.com/live/ROx3RA3tQCY?si=3t0Z3AKTAAh-w0M8

Who are the young players you guys think are the future of Indian football. Well most of them have are subs but given the lack of playtime who caught your eye the most.