With 54 teams competing, RFDL season 4 kicks off today in Goa

The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) returns for its fourth season today, with matches set to be played across nine zones in India. 

Featuring 54 teams from ISL clubs, I-League outfits, academies, and state teams, the league aims to provide young footballers with a platform to showcase their talent and compete at a national level.

The competition is divided into four stages: Regional Qualifiers, Zonal Group Stage, National Group Stage, and the National Championship.

Teams advancing to the national stage will play a minimum of 20 matches, including high-stakes games against top opponents.

New this year is the addition of a Rest of India Zone, with matches hosted in Shillong and featuring teams from Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, among others.

The league has strict eligibility criteria, allowing only players born on or after January 1, 2004.

Teams may include up to four older players, born on or after January 1, 2002, with a limit of two on the field at a time.

Since its inception, RFDL has helped develop talent for Indian football, with players like Sivasakthi Narayanan and Naorem Roshan Singh making their mark in professional leagues. 

Owen Coyle, Head Coach of Chennaiyin FC, emphasized the league’s importance:

“With the population of India, I think we have a huge potential for football, especially at the youth levels. Initiatives like the Reliance Foundation Development League are the need of the hour to provide a much-deserved platform and opportunity for talent. While the Indian Super League is doing its part for senior teams, we must catch these talented players at a young age, provide them with the right opportunities, and enable them to make their way to the national team,” he said.

The National Championship, set to take place after over 285 matches, will determine the RFDL 2024/25 champion.