NEW DELHI: AIFF general secretary Kushal Das has presented a harsh truth to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal – that they need to introspect on why two clubs with such history and fan following have failed to pull in sponsorship and investment.
Das made his comments here Tuesday at the launch of the 10-team I-League, which kicks off from November 25.
Offering another harsh truth, Das said that the I-League, for this year (emphasis ours), will officially retain India’s top league status and its winner will qualify for the AFC Champions League.
While Bagan and East Bengal have already failed AFC licensing criteria earlier this year, Das informed that it will not hamper their chances of playing the AFC Champions League, if they happen to win the I-League.
“They can (play AFC Champions League) but once they start participating, they have to fulfill the licensing the criteria. They will get some time to sort out the licensing issue,” Das told PTI.
Asked if it’s a setback that clubs with a legacy of over 100 years are not playing in the Indian Super League (ISL), Das told the newswire: “While they have a huge fan base, they also have to realise somehow there are no investors coming. They are finding it difficult to get sponsorships.
“So they have to introspect what is wrong? Why are clubs with such history and legacy fan following unable to get sponsorship and investment.
“That’s a question they will have to find an answer to. I am happy to help them but they will only have to find an answer.”
According to Das, one of the biggest reasons for sponsors and investors turning their backs to the clubs is the lack of long-term strategic planning. “I think the whole issue is to convince the sponsors about their strategic plan for next five years. This is where I want to be – say after five years. Probably, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have not been able to do that,” he reasoned.
Asked as to whether the television ratings of I-League would be negatively impacted by the 2pm start of most of the matches, Das offered a counter. Which was that Star agreeing to broadcast all the matches live was a huge plus for the tournament.
AIFF has failed on scheduling front
That being said, several I-League teams, including East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, have written to the AIFF, complained about timing, travel and even the scheduling of some of the home matches.
Doubts have been raised about the venue of East Bengal’s first home match, against defending champions Aizawl FC, The Tribune reports.
As per the fixtures list, the match is scheduled for November 28, which is two days after Atletico de Kolkata’s home match against Pune City in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the same venue. “They are saying we can’t play there as the stadium cannot be released within 48 hours of a match,” a source close to the East Bengal team told the daily.
“They are saying that the match will be shifted to Barasat stadium. If that happens, then the match will not be telecast live. These things are bad for the league. We are waiting for the AIFF to clear the matter,” he added.
Gokulam FC, a Mallapuram-based side, were told to shift to Kozhikode because they did not have floodlights. However, despite shifting, Gokulam FC have been short-changed as a majority of their matches will be held at 2pm.
“We have a big fan base in Mallapuram. They told us to shift and then we get to know that most of our matches have been scheduled for 2pm. Will the fans come at that time?” Gokulam coach Bino George told The Tribune. “We have written to the AIFF. The timing will be equally harsh for both the players and the fans,” George said.
Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen echoed George when he told the daily: “I am okay with afternoon matches in the North as it is relatively cooler during these times, but playing at that time in the South will be problematic for the players.”
The harshest criticism of the scheduling came from Minerva Punjab FC team owner Ranjit Bajaj, according to The Tribune.
Minerva is to play Churchill on December 29 in Goa, the worst possible time as it is peak holiday season in the tourist hot spot and flight and hotel prices have skyrocketed.
“Due to the New Year’s Eve, the flight tickets have risen to Rs 38,000. Hotel rates in a three-star have gone up by four times,” said Bajaj.
“Even the rate of the bus that we normally hire for Rs 3,000 has gone up to Rs 30,000. If we go there we risk losing half of our budget. We have requested the AIFF to reschedule,” added Bajaj, whose team will take a road trip from Aizawl to Kolkata to catch a flight for Goa.
“All the games in the Northeast could have been held together. Same for the Kolkata and Goa matches. This could have been planned better,” he added.
The Minerva owner was particularly exasperated about the timings of some of the home matches. “We play a few matches in Ludhiana and then shift to the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. We had requested that the matches be held at 2 pm as the weather in December is perfect and the sun sets by 4-4:30 pm. But there they want an 8:30 pm start. Do they ever listen?” Bajaj asked.
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