Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC get nod to participate in I-league

Apart from these two clubs, three more clubs- Neroca FC, Sudeva FC, and FC Bardez Goa had submitted their bids to participate in the FIFA-accredited league. Minerva Punjab FC had played in the Second Division last year and had secured the second position in the tournament.

AIFF secretary Kushal Das congratulated both the clubs and wished for a competitive I-League, which is starting from Jan 7.

He said, “I, on the behalf of AIFF, welcome Chennai City FC & Minerva Punjab FC to the I-League family and we all hope that we will have a competitive I-League,” reported PTI.

“With Chennai City FC & Minerva Punjab FC joining the fray now, we have ten teams competing in the next I-League. Now, we have representatives from Chennai and Punjab, which means we’ll reach out to more supporters and newer markets,” Das added.

After the inclusion of two new clubs, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar also expressed his happiness and said that it add “newer dimensions” to the league.

Mr. Dhar said, “New teams from two new venues will add a newer dimension to I-League and they will get a chance to rub shoulders with the top clubs of Indian football.”