The Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) has become the first youth academy in India to be rated 5-stars by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Academy Accreditation assessment system. The AIFF, on Friday, announced the list of 89 clubs/academies which cleared the assessment criteria for the 2019-20 season and also revealed the ratings.

RFYC emerged at the top of the list with 5 stars, followed by the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi, Jamshedpur FC and Bengaluru FC on 4 stars. Boca Juniors Football Schools, FC Madras, Kenkre FC, Youth Football Club, Minerva Punjab FC and Dempo SC obtained 3 stars.

RFYC began its journey in May 2015 with the vision of creating not only the nation’s next generation of football stars but also future role models and leaders. Over the four years, the Navi Mumbai-based institute has emerged as not only the most well-equipped residential academy in the country but also as a nursery for budding talents scouted from across India. RFYC was also in the top bracket in the last two seasons, having received 4-star ratings.

Out of the 123 academies/clubs who applied for this season's accreditation, 89 made the cut after they were assessed on the basis of age-group teams, technical support, training curriculum, talent identification and recruitment process, facilities and infrastructure, medical provisions, tournament participation and existing administrative support - the same benchmarks used to assign the ratings. The clubs/academies require the accreditation to compete in the Youth Leagues (Hero Elite League, Hero Junior League and Hero Sub-Junior League) organised by the AIFF.

According to the AIFF website, the Academy Accreditation process was a six-month long process.