The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to implement the ‘home grown player rule’ in the upcoming youth leagues for u-13, u-15 and u-18 age-groups. The rules indicate a home grown player as one whose state of domicile is the same as the location of the club/academy who he’s set to represent in any of the leagues.

As per the new rules, a club/academy is needed to register a minimum of 30 per cent of the players for the u-13 and u-15 teams and a minimum of 20 per cent for the u-18 team as home grown.

Kushal Das, AIFF general secretary, said: “The home grown rule will evidently add a new dimension encouraging the clubs and academies to hone local talents. The onus is now on the clubs to scout local talents and nurture them.”