NEW DELHI: The capital-based Sudeva Moonlight FC is officially the first among the three clubs that had picked up documents for direct corporate entry into the upcoming season of the Hero I-League to submit its bid.
The other two clubs that picked up bid papers are Sreenidhi FC (Visakhapatnam) and Ryntih SC (Shillong).
Football Delhi president Shaji Prabhakaran confirmed the development via his official twitter handle, tweeting: “My best wishes to Sudeva FC. The Delhi Club submitted the bid today (Tuesday) to be part of @ILeagueOfficial 2020-21 season.
“Sudeva is operating with a vision, well managed and substantial focus on youth development.
@Sudevasports and Delhi deserves a club in I-League.
#IndianFootball”
With Mohun Bagan set to play in the Indian Super League (ISL) from the coming season, having merged with ATK FC, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had invited bids for a new club in the I-League. The AIFF is looking at a 12-team tournament next season with the corporate entry replacing Mohun Bagan and another team set to get promoted from the 2nd Division.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the I-League 2nd Division had to be suspended midway with matches still left to be played. Now, the country’s football governing body is planning to host a mini tournament in September-October with the 2nd Division clubs in order to decide which one gets promoted.
The National Capital Region (NCR) currently does not have any team playing in either the Indian Super League (ISL) or I-League after Delhi Dynamos shifted base to Odisha at the start of the 2019-20 season, while AIFF’s youth team Indian Arrows also moved away, shifting base to Kolkata. This strengthens Sudeva’s case due to the strategic and commercial advantage that comes with representing the national capital.
The club also stands to gain by utilising the Ambedkar Stadium as its home ground, which has a long history of drawing enthusiastic crowds for Durand Cup as well as the Indian national team during the Bob Houghton era.
In 2018, Sudeva acquired 85% stake in Spanish third division club Olimpic de Xativa and from their association, young footballers have since been sent to Spain for exposure.
Recently, in August 2019, three youngsters from the Sudeva Football Academy were sent to the Spanish club for training.
I-League’s last corporate entry was Gokulam Kerala two years ago. The Malabarians have steadily built a strong team and a name for themselves and the upcoming new entrant will be hoping to take that route as well.
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