Delhi Youth League Gives a New Meaning To The Game of Football

First competitive football league for children under 16

22 November 2012: The capital city is all set to get a brand new league for children who have longed to play competitive football in the capital. The Delhi Youth League (DYL), is a one of its kind initiative to provide a level playing field for youngsters from diverse socio economic backgrounds to play competitive football. The League started by Paul Schuttenbelt a Dutch Expat, in cooperation with Kutumb Foundation and The Embassy of The Netherlands is all set to kick off on December 2, 2012 at Delhi Public School, R.K Puram. The Delhi youth league will have over 20 teams in 4 age groups, under 8, under 10  under 12 and under 14.

Mr. Paul Schuttenbelt – Director, Urban Solutions said, “The objective behind setting up Delhi Youth League is to develop the sport of football at the grass root levels in India. We believe the best teacher is the game itself, and therefore, our aim is to give equal opportunity to children from different economic backgrounds to come and play through a fun and learning based system.”

The league starts as a daylong tournament that will see the presence of representatives from AIFF, the National Coach Mr Wim Koevermans and the technical director of the Indian football team Mr. Rob Baan. After, the inaugural game day, the league will follow a structure where matches are held every Sunday over a period of four months. The league aims to provide a common platform to all the children who have an aptitude, but lack the amenities and infrastructure to develop into quality players.

The league currently has about 250 children in 6 teams in four age groups. These teams constitutes of children from schools, local clubs, charities and children training under local coaches. The concept behind the league has been drawn from the leagues played for children in Europe,  where the commitment is to make the game accessible to children of all backgrounds, keeping open and exciting competitions that are about developing home-grown talent.