For the first time ever, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) has partnered with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to promote grassroots football. Under this MoU, from this edition onwards, a Subroto XI the team will be formed in Junior Boys (U-17) category. The team will participate in the AIFF Youth Competition from 2023-24 season. Additionally, clubs from the ISL, I-League and IWL will sign players from the Subroto Cup to represent their teams. This will help players showcase their talents on a national level. The AIFF will also promote the Subroto Cup through its annual media plan and calendar. In order to prevent age fraud during the competition, SMSES will conduct age determination tests using experts. To update and educate the coaches, AIFF will undertake an educational seminar for the coaches of the finals teams in Delhi and Bangalore.
The MoU was signed by Air Vice Marshal Alok Sharma, VM VSM, ACAS (Org & Cer) as Member, SMSES and Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Secretary General, AIFF in a formal function held at the Air Force Station, New Delhi. Both dignitaries expressed happiness at the partnership and were confident of rich dividends for national football in the times ahead.
Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) leads the prestigious Subroto Cup International Soccer Tournament every year since 1960, under the auspices of Air Force Sports Control Board. This is a unique soccer tournament where school teams from all states starting at the grassroots level compete for the top titles in soccer in the country in three categories i.e. Sub-junior Boys (U-14), Junior Boys (U-17) and Young Girls (U-17).
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