Jamshedpur FC secures AIFF Five-Star Academy status

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Jamshedpur, July 15:  In a historic milestone for the club, Jamshedpur FC’ has been awarded the AIFF Five-Star Academy Accreditation for the first time, joining elite group in India to earn the highest academy rating for the 2026-27 season.

The AIFF Academy Accreditation is the benchmark for evaluating youth development structures in Indian football, assessing academies across key areas including age-group teams, technical staff, competitive performances, talent identification, long-term player development, facilities and infrastructure, medical provisions, grassroots initiatives, administrative support and ecosystem development.

The recognition comes on the back of an outstanding season for Jamshedpur FC’s youth programme. The club achieved a rare milestone as its U14, U16 and U18 teams all qualified for the Final Round of the AIFF Youth League. The U18 side further progressed to the quarter-finals of the AIFF Elite Youth League, competing among the country’s best academies.

Beyond results on the pitch, Jamshedpur FC continued to strengthen football at the grassroots. The club successfully organised Jamshedpur Super League, the longest-running AIFF Blue Cubs League in the country, providing a sustained competitive platform for hundreds of young footballers while expanding community participation in the sport. The AIFF accreditation framework places significant emphasis on structured grassroots programmes, long-duration Blue Cubs leagues and community engagement as key pillars of youth development.

The club has also invested heavily in creating a holistic development environment for young players through training facilities, qualified technical and medical staff, sports science support, player welfare systems and safeguarding measures, all of which form integral components of the AIFF’s assessment criteria.

Jamshedpur FC’s academy continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level. Nikhil Barla, a product of the club’s youth system who progressed through the academy, reserves and senior team, recently made his senior India debut, becoming another example of the pathway from TFA to international football. Meanwhile, academy graduate Heeranganba Seram represented India at the AFC U17 Asian Cup.

Jamshedpur FC has further strengthened its commitment to local talent as the club’s newly assembled U14 squad comprises entirely players from Jharkhand.

Mukul Choudhari, CEO, Jamshedpur FC, said, “Being recognised as a Five-Star Academy is a proud milestone for Jamshedpur FC (TFA) and reflects our long-term commitment to youth development. More importantly, it validates the pathway we have built from grassroots to the national team. We remain committed to developing homegrown talent, with a special focus on the talent from Jharkhand, and creating more opportunities for young footballers from the state.”