Frequenty Asked Questions

What is DIFL?

The Delhi International Football League was set up more than twenty five years ago (around 1985). The purpose of DIFL is to organise football for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 16 years in Delhi.

Who runs it?

Currently, it’s run by volunteer parents. We are a mixture of locals and internationals. Each year a Management Committee gets together, made up of people who served the year before and newly recruited members. In this way there’s a continuum of knowledge. The Management Committee looks for a Commissioner, the person who heads it up for the year. Sometimes, the Commissioner carries on from one year to the next.


When do the children play?

The DIFL season spans between mid November and February end each year.  There may be opportunities for coaching or required skills assessments before the season kicks off--generally in September and October.

What is the criteria for age in each division?

The age groups of children registered in DIFL 2011-12  are as follows:

Are the players insured by DIFL?

No. Each parent must sign a waiver acknowledging that, DIFL will not be held responsible for any injury to the child. You may want to take out your own insurance, or perhaps speak to your insurance company or employer to see if you are already covered under an existing policy. 



What do my fees cover and do I have to pay separately for the team kit?

DIFL provides all registered players with a team kit that includes jersey, shorts and socks.  This year, we are also offering a small DIFL sackpack to players for carrying their water bottles and the like.  These items as well as the closing ceremony provisions are covered by your registration fee.  Parents must provide the player's soccer cleats and soccer shin guards (see below).  Soccer balls, pumps, first aid kits, cones, bibs and other coaching accessories are provided for the teams' use during the season, but remain DIFL property.


What else should my child bring/wear to the pitch?

All players must wear soccer cleats and shin guards (though sports shoes are ok for Division 1).  Any soccer cleats worn must have non-metal studs.  Players should also carry water bottles with them to all practices and matches.  In winter, some players prefer to wear long-sleeved shirts underneath their jerseys.  This is fine as it can get quite cold, especially for early morning matches.  We also recommend players wear sunscreen.


What about snacks?

Most teams generate a snacks roster and ask parents to sign up to bring juice and a healthy snack for the players (and siblings) for one match during the season.  Some teams opt to do this for practice days as well.  Please work with your team's manager to determine the schedule for your team.  Please also make sure your team manager is aware of any food allergies your children may have.


How many teams are there and where do they play?

In 2011-12 we will register over 1100 kids in 72 teams. We divide them by age into 6 Divisions. They play over an 11-week season, which kicks off in November 2011. They may play on a variety of pitches across Delhi. You’ll be informed of where once the teams are sorted out and the pitches booked for the season.

Divisions 1-4 play on the pitch at Kathuria Public School in Vasant Kunj.

Division 5 plays at Jesus & Mary College (JMC) Grounds in Chanakyapuri.

Division 6 plays at Thyagaraj Sports Complex, behind INA Market.


Where can I get directions?

Please check our Pitch Locations page for information on the location of the pitches and directions.


What day and time are the matches?

DIFL season matches take place on Saturdays.  The matches are spread across time slots between 9:00am - 5:00 pm throughout the season such that all teams have some morning, some mid-day, and some afternoon matches.  For Division 1, we try to ensure their matches are between 9:00am and noon.  Parents will receive notification of the specific match schedules once the team formation is complete.


What day and time are the practices?

Divisions 1-6 have a once/week mandatory practice for one hour for all players.  This is to ensure time for coaching and learning to play together as a team.  The practices are scheduled on the same pitch as the matches and they take place after school--between 4pm and 7pm.  Parents will be informed of their team's practice day and time slot once the team formation is complete.



Is it very competitive?

We have an ethos of participation and fun and we have never been a ‘win at all costs’ organisation. It’s not terribly competitive for the younger ones. It starts getting more competitive in Divisions 4 and higher. We’ve got a clear set of rules that govern parents’ and kids’ responsibilities. Look at the Parent’s Code of Conduct, and look under ‘Rules’ on our website.


My child’s not terribly good; does this matter?

No, it doesn’t matter, especially in the younger divisions. All are accepted regardless of ability. We match different skills levels across teams so that one team isn’t (or shouldn’t be) much stronger (or weaker) than others. Coaches should play every child: nobody should be left on the sidelines for the majority of any match. If you find this is a problem you should speak to your Divisional Coordinator.


Can my child be guaranteed to play with his or her friends?

We very much want to mix kids up. We don’t want a team representing a particular school, for example. We aim for a good mix of kids from a range of schools. We want them to meet and make friends with children from other countries and nationalities. That said, we ensure that everyone has at least someone from the same school in his or her team, and we will try to help when we are convinced it’s imperative that two particular children play together. We do let you make requests at the time of registration but the final decision is the coordinators’.


What sort of commitment does my child have to make?

The season covers eleven Saturdays from November to February. There’s mid-week training which is compulsory. We know that not every child can make every match but it’s important to get to as many as you can. We encourage teamwork and a sense of responsibility towards one another. Nobody wants to let the team down – we encourage this type of attitude. We insist that no child misses practice or matches without a true emergency situation. Missing two matches in a row without legitimate reason and prior information will jeopardise your child’s participation in DIFL.


What sort of commitment am I expected to make?

We’d like you to get involved too. We really need you to help. DIFL depends on parents. Parents are needed as Sponsors, as coaches, as managers, to help out with snacks and events, and as organisers of the award ceremony. When you sign your child up you commit to help out.  If you commit to helping out and then change your mind, you and your children stand to lose their participation.


How are teams made?

Each Division has at least one Coordinator. Together they take all the registration for their Divisional age group. Each child is then assessed for the skills level (except Div 1). When that’s done, we put the children into teams, trying to balance the teams across a variety of factors, including age, schools, height, skills, and so on. Our goal is to distribute the players evenly across teams such that all teams are balanced at the start of the season.


How much does it cost?

For 2011-12 the registration fee is Rs 4000/- which includes the player's team kit. It might change from year to year. We also get sponsors each year. This helps pay for the extras. You may pay by cash or by cheque.  All confirmed registrants will receive detailed information outlining how, when and where to pay the fees for DIFL 2011-12.