We want a unified football league, says Valanka Alemao

There is a lot of discussions regarding the future of the I-League and there are talks that the final decision will be taken anytime soon. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has already made it clear that the Indian Super League will be the top-most football tournament in the country.

“In any ecosystem of football, you need to have grassroots and promote youngsters. So tomorrow when we will all promote the upcoming players and there are just 10 clubs to do this... where are the others going to play? It is like killing the entire ecosystem. So it is not something like that I-League clubs have their own personal or selfish motive but it is for the entire AIFF to look into it. We have to find a way, we cannot afford to be submissive.” 

“There has to be a drive, some type of reward for every match..that is why you play to go there. You just go and play for the heck of it, be it any sport. Before 2007, we had the National Football League which was followed by the I-League. So here you had the culture, fans and tradition and suddenly you create something and then you say we cannot make it a top league as per agreements. I clearly don’t understand how this works,” Alemao questioned.

“All the I-League clubs are great contributors to Indian football. These traditional clubs with legacy have been the torchbearers of Indian football and we have created national heroes.”