About IYSA

India Youth Soccer Association (IYSA), established in the year 2000, is a not-for-profit organisation engaged in developing football for children and youth, especially for those from underprivileged, and economically weaker backgrounds and rural areas.

IYSA – Mini Soccer Leagues (2001-2007)

IYSA’s initial programs were Mini and Youth Leagues that were started with an aim to increase the number of children and youth participating in football. IYSA organized these leagues from 2001 – 2007, with over 3000 players participating in the Delhi NCR. IYSA also ran a Girls League and a League and coaching program for underprivileged children from NGO’s like Salaam Baalak Trust, Deepalaya, Kutumb, Butterflies, etc.

IYSA – New Delhi Josh Academy (2010 – current)

In 2010, the Government of Delhi gave IYSA permission to use an unused field at a Government Center in Vasant Vihar to start an after-school Football Academy targeted at Government school students.

The Academy is run under the name New Delhi Josh (Josh is a Hindi word meaning ‘fighting spirit’) and started with 40 odd boys training bare feet from the local village; Basant Gaon and RK Puram. Over 1000 boys have since been trained in the Academy, most of whom are from Government schools. The current strength is 120 players from U9 to U19. These players are from the local community and are provided with kit, boots, equipment, and an opportunity to play in tournaments and youth leagues, access to a good playing field and training by licensed coaches. All of it is provided free of cost.

IYSA’s Josh Academy teams have participated in the Delhi Youth League (DYL), winning the league in 2014, 2015 and 2018. IYSA has also participated in the AIFF Youth Leagues reaching the U16 National Round in 2016-17. Teams have participated in the DSA Inter Academy Championship, Delhi Cup, and other tournaments.

The Academy training has helped a number of players represent Delhi state in the National School Games. The players have graduated to clubs, playing in the Delhi Soccer Association League and  few have also played in the 2nd Division I-League. Two players have also gone on to play for the India Junior National Team.

Partnerships

IYSA has a partnership with the Arsenal Community whose coaches volunteer in the Academy for 2-3 months annually. The partnership has been ongoing since 2012.

IYSA has also setup other partnerships; with the AMM Foundation in Tamil Nadu to help start a football academy for children from a fishing community in North Chennai; with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to help run the CII SoccerFest, a football festival for corporate executives, girl’s teams and boys school teams.

Village Camps

IYSA has held football camps for village children in North India. These short duration camps have been held in villages or small towns in Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.

Social Benefits

We target an economically weaker part of the community and give modern football coaching to these children. We help them prove their sporting excellence, thus creating the same opportunities for them as children from families with larger resources.

We use the game of football to keep boys away from anti-social activities and help them become better individuals by building their character, skills, and confidence. By playing the sport, they also learn life skills such as respect, teamwork, leadership, discipline, and honesty.

Playing a sport like football also helps improve health, fitness and develop a sporting culture.

The IYSA – Josh Football Academy project aims to reach out to and develop Academies for children and youth from states outside Delhi in the near future. Support from individuals, corporates, state governments are welcome towards this endeavour.

Information about the Trust

IYSA is registered with the Sub Registrar of Trusts, Delhi (North). Registration no. 25861, dated 9th November 2000.

IYSA runs with the help of donations from corporates and individuals. Donations to IYSA are 50% tax-exempt under section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961, Govt. of India.

IYSA is registered under sec. 12A. The registration number is: I-874/01/6 dated 5/04/2002

Arup Das
Managing Trustee, IYSA
arupdas@indiayouthsoccer.com