Kolkata: Representatives of the I-League clubs met with the AIFF officials in New Delhi and agreed to the idea of both the I-League and the ISL running simultaneously. The meeting which was attended by Subrata Dutta, Chairman of the League Committee, Kushal Das, General Secretary of the AIFF and Sunando Dhar, CEO of the I-League.
The meeting, was held for discussing the future of Indian football in the 2017-2018 season till the mid-term and long-term future is decided with the help of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The I-League clubs agreed to the concurrent running of the I-League and ISL in the upcoming season but said that all their matches should be telecasted on Star Sports with proper marketing, promotions and the scheduling of the games. Also, they suggested that a task force be set up which would regularly review the I-League.
They further said that the travel rates should be subsidised and a proper budget should be allocated for the promotion of the I-League in the 2017-2018 season by the AIFF.
Also, they put forward a demand of registering right foreign players out of which two should be of Asian origin. They said that a maximum of five overseas players should be allowed on the field with one of them from an Asian origin.
Subrata Dutta, who chaired the meeting said that all these recommendations and demands of the clubs will be put forward before the League Committee in a meeting on the 5th of July. The clubs would be informed about the final decisions that are taken by the Committee.
The AFC has also communicated it’s happiness to the AIFF that it’s Executive Committee has approved the project for the determination of the roadmap of Indian club football on a mid-term and long-term basis. The AFC in this regard, would soon send a draft project plan.
The AFC also has agreed to the decision of the I-League and ISL running together as it feels that this is a temporary short term, ‘bridging solution’.
The FIFA has also reviewed and agreed to this special system.
Kushal Das, the AIFF Secretary was thankful to the AFC for their continued guidance and support in Indian football.
He said, “The growth of Indian Football is our primary objective and we will take every step necessary to ensure positive results. We look forward to working with AFC and the other stakeholders to determine the most suitable medium to long term road map for Indian Football.”