NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das on Monday revealed that the first I-league club from national capital Delhi could be announced as early as next week.
Das made the significant announcement hours after AIFF president Praful Patel said Delhi could see two I-League teams in the upcoming season of the league.
“Delhi could see the announcement of an I-League club next week,” Das said.
AIFF recently invited bids from non-I-League cities, including Delhi, Ranchi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, to take part in the 2020-21 season.
The previous season of the league saw 11 clubs, including AIFF’s developmental outfit Indian Arrows, take part in the competition.
However, reigning champions Mohun Bagan have merged with ATK and will play in the Indian Super League (ISL) from the upcoming season.
“Clubs from Delhi will be a reality soon in Hero I-league and there may be two teams from Delhi. I am personally looking into this aspect and no doubt Delhi football deserves a big focus being the capital city,” Patel said during a programme organised by Football Delhi to mark the 36th birthday of India captain Sunil Chhetri.
He also highlighted the progress the AIFF has made over the last decade while emphasising on the need to “professionalise the sport”.
“We have come a long way. Globally FIFA now acknowledges that Indian football has to be supported and strengthened for the sport to grow in the region. FIFA and AFC have made it clear that football has to be commercially viable and it has to support the overall ecosystem around it,” he said.
“That is why it is important to professionalise the sport. The Hero I-League was the first step towards that. Now, the Hero ISL has taken it further and made more additions to Indian football,” Patel added.
Speaking earlier, Das offered a reality check on the state of affairs in Delhi. “Infrastructure is a problem in Delhi. After the U-17 World Cup, we have stadiums so much superior to the Ambedkar Stadium. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is not a football stadium. The experience (there) was so bad (during ISL games),” Goal quotes Das as having said.
He further added, “The capital is very important, so are the other cities. The AIFF has the structure and the knowledge base to help the state association. We can create a structure that is necessary for football to thrive again in Delhi. It will take some time but if you come to us, we are very willing to help.”
Das also said that in order to attract sponsors and sell the idea of a Delhi-based club, Football Delhi has to come up with a strategic plan.
“The football culture is sporadic in our country. Delhi had some sort of a culture, not anymore. There are people who are interested in football but you have to give them a strategic vision that this is what we want to achieve. Without that plan, it is very difficult. There are people who are interested and have money but you have to give them confidence.
“That is why it is very important that Football Delhi comes and works with the AIFF. If we work together, we can come up with a vision document. With that, you approach someone who has passion and money.”
Towards the end of the virtual conference, Das was asked whether the AIFF could consider giving special exemptions or grants to the parties who are ready to run a club in the capital. He responded, “I don’t think that would be fair at all. (It would be) Absolutely unfair. The AIFF has the technical know-how to support Football Delhi in terms of competitions, creating vision document, youth development and grassroots.
“AIFF conducts 1500 plus games in the leagues and about 32000 baby leagues (done by the operators, controlled by the AIFF). We have a very efficient I-League department, we can help them understand and learn what needs to be done.”
Football Delhi president Shaji Prabhakaran said the state association was delighted to receive such an overwhelming response.
“It was very encouraging to hear from the distinguished speakers the potential of Indian football in general and Delhi football in particular.
“It was a perfect way to celebrate the birthday of Sunil Chhetri and we are honoured by the overwhelming response and attention Delhi football is receiving through this E-Summit,” Prabhakaran said.
