MUMBAI: The successful run of Pune-based DSK Shivajians in the Nike Premier Cup 2018 youth tournament, which concluded recently, has encouraged club president Shirish Kulkarni to consider another shot at competing in the top flight of Indian football.
“Well, we have already seen both sides of the game. We have been to the I-league and back. Now with the changes being proposed, we have decided to wait and watch as to how it develops and then we will take a call on it. Going further, our focus will always remain on developing the youth and we will be fielding young players even if we make it to the big leagues in the future,” Kulkarni told Asian Age.
“We have been in the I-league and wish to go back but that can be decided only after there is a concrete roadmap from the AIFF. ISL seems unlikely, as I’m not a big fan of the concept. We are, and will always remain, the club of Pune, and as it develops further you can certainly expect DSK Shivajians to come back to the top flight,” he further said.
He told the daily the uncertainty as to how the top flight of Indian club football would be structured has hampered the club’s plans for the future.
The Nike Cup has come as a boost for the club, where they reached the finals by defeating powerful Bengaluru FC in the semis before coming up short against ultimate winners Minerva Punjab FC.
