AIFF opens SOM roster applications for retired footballers under Sports Act
Synopsis
For the first time, retired Indian footballers can apply directly — without a state association endorsement — for a voting seat in the AIFF's General Body. The SOM roster reform under the National Sports Governance Act could reshape who holds power in Indian football, just months before the federation's December elections.
Key Takeaways
The AIFF has opened applications for its Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster under the National Sports Governance Act .
Two rosters of 20 male and 20 female retired footballers will be created; at least 4 voting members will join the AIFF General Body.
Eligibility follows a 10-tier system , from Olympic medallists down to National Games/Championships medallists.
Retired players can apply directly — no state association nomination or endorsement required.
Application deadline is 13 September 2026 , ahead of AIFF elections expected in December 2026 .
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has invited applications from retired Indian footballers for inclusion in its Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster, a structural reform mandated by the National Sports Governance Act that the federation formally adopted at its Special General Body Meeting in May 2026. The move marks a significant step toward giving former players a direct, voting role in the federation's governance.
What the SOM Roster Entails
Under the revised governance framework, the AIFF will maintain two separate rosters — 20 male and 20 female Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit. From these lists, a minimum of four voting members — two men and two women — will be inducted into the federation's General Body, giving retired athletes a formal seat at the table in decisions that shape Indian football.
Eligibility Criteria and Tier Structure
To qualify, applicants must be Indian citizens, at least 25 years old, of sound mind, and retired from competitive play. They must not have participated in any event leading to district, state, or national selection for at least one year prior to applying.
Eligibility is determined through a 10-tier system. The highest tier is reserved for Olympic or Paralympic medallists, followed by athletes who have competed in two or more Olympic or Paralympic Games, and then those with at least one Games appearance. Further tiers cover medallists from the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. The 10th tier includes players who have won a gold, silver, or bronze at the National Games or National Championships. Where applications in any tier exceed available spots, selection will be determined by age seniority.
A Departure from Past Practice
Notably, the AIFF has removed a longstanding barrier: retired players can now apply directly, without requiring a nomination, recommendation, or endorsement from their respective state or union territory football associations. This open-application model is a meaningful departure from the opaque, network-dependent processes that critics had flagged in the past.
Applicants must submit a completed form along with proof of age, citizenship, and documentation supporting their tier-based eligibility. The AIFF has urged its member associations, clubs, academies, and other stakeholders to circulate the notification widely among the former-player community to maximise participation.
Timeline and What Comes Next
Applications can be submitted in either physical or digital form until 13 September 2026. The roster exercise is timed ahead of the AIFF's anticipated elections in December 2026, when the federation is expected to elect new office-bearers as prescribed under the National Sports Governance Act. This comes amid broader efforts by Indian sports federations to align with the Act's athlete-representation mandates, a process that has unfolded unevenly across disciplines since the legislation was introduced.
Point of View
And the removal of the state-association endorsement requirement directly challenges that gatekeeping dynamic. The real test will come at the December elections: whether the four SOM seats in the General Body translate into genuine influence, or become a symbolic concession to the letter of the Sports Governance Act while leaving existing power structures intact. With Indian football's global ranking still underperforming the country's talent base, athlete-led accountability in governance is overdue — but four votes in a large General Body may not be enough to move the needle.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AIFF Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster?
The SOM roster is a list of retired Indian footballers who will have a direct voting role in the AIFF's General Body, as required by the National Sports Governance Act. The AIFF will maintain two rosters of 20 male and 20 female former players, with at least four — two men and two women — becoming voting members of the federation's General Body.
Who is eligible to apply for the AIFF SOM roster?
Applicants must be Indian citizens, at least 25 years old, of sound mind, and retired from competitive football for at least one year. Eligibility is assessed through a 10-tier system ranging from Olympic and Paralympic medallists at the top to National Games and National Championships medallists at the base.
Do retired footballers need a state association nomination to apply?
No. In a change from past practice, the AIFF now allows retired players to apply directly without a nomination, recommendation, or endorsement from their state or union territory football association.
What is the deadline to apply for the AIFF SOM roster?
Applications — in physical or digital form — must be submitted by 13 September 2026. The roster will be finalised ahead of the AIFF's anticipated elections in December 2026.
Why is the SOM roster being created now?
The roster is mandated by the National Sports Governance Act, which the AIFF formally adopted at its Special General Body Meeting in May 2026. The Act requires federations to include athlete representatives as voting members in their governing bodies.
