AIFF Bars Foreign Players from City, State, and District Leagues : The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently announced a significant decision in a meeting held on 14th April in New Delhi. The executive committee of AIFF decided to exclude all foreign players, both male and female, from all divisions of city, district, and state leagues starting from 1st June 2023. This decision has been taken to ensure that local talents and individuals are not deprived of opportunities in the football-loving state of India.
AIFF Bars Foreign Players from City, State, and District Leagues Starting June 1
While this decision can trigger a debate as it would mean a significant downgrade in the quality of football, it should also be kept in mind that this restriction will now give a lot of opportunities to local talents and individuals to emerge and stand out in their team, something that was earlier only achieved by top-class foreign players.
AIFF Bars Foreign Players from City, State, and District Leagues Starting June 1
The decision was taken to allow the Indian players’ development and give them more game time and ensure that the national team is enriched through the process. These foreign players can be very beneficial for the team, but they seldom contribute to the overall development of football in the country. Now with their departure, the Indian players have a chance to express themselves on the pitch in a more reformed manner and attract some of the footballing powerhouses in India.
AIFF has officially barred foreign players from all men's and women's state/city/district leagues of India.#IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/9TsAQwtSfR
— VOIF (@VoiceofIndianF1) April 27, 2023
AIFF Bars Foreign Players from City, State, and District Leagues Starting June 1
The Indian Super League (ISL) has also reduced the number of foreign players that can be fielded by a team at a particular point in time from five to four. This decision was taken to ensure that the Indian players’ development is not hampered, and they get more game time.
The move has so far been a success in the ISL, and every season there has been a significant improvement in the quality of Indian footballers on the pitch. Hopefully, the same will be expected to be seen in the state or district or city leagues, courtesy this move by the AIFF.
🚨 | Dronacharya Award winning coach, Bimal Ghosh has lauded the AIFF for banning foreigners in state league(s)⤵️ :
— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) April 21, 2023
"I had warned AIFF in 1994 that allowing foreign players in India’s top leagues was a mistake. It took a footballer as president to understand," tells HT pic.twitter.com/vHzncWnrDe
AIFF Bars Foreign Players from City, State, and District Leagues Starting June 1
The exclusion of foreign players from city, state, and district leagues starting from 1st June 2023 by AIFF can have mixed reactions, but it is a move towards the development of local talents and individuals. This decision will provide an opportunity for Indian players to showcase their skills and attract footballing powerhouses in India.
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