Reports : U Sports asks AIFF if they could field a Mumbai team in I-League
Getty
As per reports, Ronnie Screwvala-owned USports has enquired with the AIFF about introducing a new team in the I-League, which could see Mumbai playing in the league after two years. While a green signal is yet to be given U Sports CEO Supratik Sen has already announced dates to hold trials.
It was back in 2017 when Mumbai FC had got relegated from the I-League following which the club had decided to shut shop. Since then, Mumbai haven’t had a team in that league and although U Mumba fielded on in Mumbai District Football Assocition’s (MDFA) Elite Division.Â
They did finish in the top half of the league to qualify for the I-League 2 but Sen stated that the eventual goal was always the I-League and they would take the opportunity with both hands.
"We feel that football in Mumbai has tremendous potential and it's imperative that we have a team in the I-League. Just when fans started coming to the stadium in large numbers for the I-League games, Mumbai FC got relegated and the city didn't have a team in the league anymore," Sen said, reported TOI.
I-League CEO Sunando Dhar stated that the federation would float a tender for the team’s introduction and if U Mumba filled the criteria, they could get the green light.
"Yes, we've received their application that they are interested in putting a team in the I-League. They'll have to follow the bid process. We're looking for a team from a city which doesn't have a team already. Mumbai doesn't and we would love to have a team from there," said Dhar.
Sen, on the other hand, was seemingly confident about U Mumba’s chances and has even scheduled trials from June 15-25. "We want this to be a total Mumbai team and that's why out of our squad of 35, we want 25 players from Mumbai. We will sign five players from elsewhere in the country and we'll also have five foreigners.
"Since we want to give coaches from the city a push, we've signed Steven Dias as our assistant coach. Our coach will be a foreigner though he won't be a big name, but one with enough experience," said Sen revealing that they could adopt Cooperage as their home stadium.
