Former head coach and player of New Radiant Sports Club, Coach Ashraf Luthfy (Sampath) has being appointed as head coach of Club Green Street youth team.

It is believed that Coach Sampath, an AFC ‘B’ coaching license holder, is appointed by current champion to their youth team head coach's duty regarding to the newly implementing regulations by FAM. According to FAM's new implemented standards, a person to act as an assistant coach to a first division team must hold at least an AFC ‘B’ coaching license.  And a youth team head coach must be at least an AFC ‘B’ coaching license holder. 

Coach Sampath with Green Streets officials. (Photo: Club Green Streets)

Coach Sampath has previously worked as head of New Radiant Sports Club. Though last year Green Street youth head coach, Coach Ayya, currently holds an AFC ‘C’ license, it is believed that he will act as the assistant to newly appointed Coach Sampath.

The format for the Youth Championship changed last year. This year's youth tournament was carried out as an under 19. Making the following youth tournament as an under 21, FAM wishes to provide the opportunity to this year's youth players to play in the coming year. And FAM will be carrying out this format (under 19 once in two years, and under 21 in the following year) in the following years. Eagles the most successful youth club in the Maldives lost out to an impressive Green Streets last year in the final match.

Last two years there have being a noticeable drop in the numbers of participating teams in youth level. Only 4 teams compete in the last two youth tournaments.

 Other than this, it is also believed that there will be a significant rise in the numbers of competing teams in this year youth championship. 

This year’s FAM youth championship is to kick off on 3rd February.