I-League clubs propose a 10-point roadmap to AIFF to consider
After the meeting between I-League clubs and AIFF President Praful Patel, the clubs came together to chalk out a future road map for Indian football and has come up with as many as ten points. A tripartite agreement, kickoff timings for I-League matches, HD telecasting are some of the proposals.
“Roadmap” has become a frequently sued term in Indian football of late with the clubs and federation all intensely claiming to come up with the ideal one. While nothing of that sort has come up as of yet, the I-League clubs have clubbed together to come up with a proposal with a number of points for the All India Football Federation to consider.
With the impasse pretty much remaining the same after the meeting as Patel has promised to keep two leagues simultaneously for another two-three years, I-League clubs had to prepare a list of immediate changes that would be needed to be made in the I-League. From proper telecasting to getting a chair in the football administration table, the clubs released a road map for Indian football’s future.
The joint committee’s list is as following -Â
- A Tripartite agreement to be signed between AIFF, FSDL & I-League clubs giving details for the arrangement for the next 3 years.
- I-League to be referred to as the National Football league of India.
- I-League champions to get AFC Champions League slot.
- I-League Committee to be formed immediately with representatives from AIFF and I-League clubs. This Committee would be solely responsible for taking decisions regarding I-League, 2nd Division league and Youth Leagues.
- All matches of I-League to be shown live on an HD channel with improved production quality. (8 camera set up with specifications mentioned previously.)
- I-League Committee shall negotiate and finalize the production house. 50 per cent of the total cost of production to be borne by FSDL with the remaining 50 per cent to be paid by AIFF.
- I-League matches to be played at 5 PM and 7 PM kick-off timings. (For non-floodlight venues kick of timings to be 2PM/3PM.)
- Working Group to be formed with representations from AIFF, FSDL, I-League clubs and ISL clubs who would plan to introduce a unified league involving both I-League and ISL clubs with prom and relegation.
- This would ensure that the top Indian Players end up playing 45-50 matches annually which is in line with the best global practice and is a minimum requirement for overall technical development of any player. (Currently, the top Indian players gets to play a maximum of 25-28 matches in a season.)
- The Roadmap needs to be approved by the AIFF Executive Committee and should be simultaneously announced, giving all details including the present status of I-League and ISL and also the future plan.
Meanwhile, Goal has also reported that Debashish Dutta, a senior official of Mohun Bagan, has revealed that the I-league clubs want to scrap the Super Cup and get in the older Rovers Cup, IFA Shield and other traditional knock-out competitions back.
“We told him [Praful Patel] to stop the Super Cup. Instead, we want IFA Shield, Rovers Cup, Durand Cup and Bordoloi Trophy. Indian football needs to be spread out. What is the point of having the Super Cup if their winners do not get a continental slot?,” said Dutta, reported Goal.
