Kolkata, April 21, 2026: The IFA State Youth League for the Under-13 age group kicked off today at the R10 Football Playground at Merlin Rise. Club Pavillion owned by the Merlin Group registered a convincing 1–0 victory over UTTARPARA BAZAR LANE
TARUN SANGHA, , in this match.
The IFA State Youth League is a grassroots football competition organized by the Indian Football Association (IFA), the official governing body of football in West Bengal. The league features competitions across three age groups—Under-13, Under-15, and Under-17.
The number of participating teams in each category is as follows:
• Under-13: Eighteen (18) teams
• Under-15: Twenty-six (26) teams
• Under-17: Twenty-two (22) teams
This state-level youth development league aims to nurture young football talent across West Bengal by providing structured competition and a pathway to professional football. Clubs affiliated with the IFA, along with academies and grassroots football institutions, are participating in the 2025–26 edition of the league.
All home games of the Merlin Club Pavilion team will be played at the football ground within Merlin Rise. Merlin Rise is a first-of-its-kind sports-integrated township in Eastern India, designed to promote an active and community-driven lifestyle.
Club Pavilion, located within Merlin Rise, is a dedicated recreational and sports complex featuring academies such as the Yuvraj Singh Centre of Excellence and R10 Football Academy, offering structured sports training and hosting community engagement activities.
