After this year's successful I League, things were expected to improve. But things have only gone downhill. First it was Mohun Bagan, the Champions of this year's ILeague, dispute with McDowells leading to them playing CAlcutta Football League without any Sponsors. Then there is news doing the rounds that Pune FC and Bharat FC, both Pune based clubs, may not participate next edition of I League and even Royal Wahingdoh, which finished third, are weighing in their options.
Adding to all that is going wrong with Indian Football, I League's website, www.i-league.org, has expired since 10th September and there has been no steps taken by AIFF to restore it. The website that acts as mouth piece of India's premier football league and its expiration shows the kind of Step Motherly treatment that AIFF gives it.
Praful Patel, the President of AIFF, said in a recent interview that "he is not bothered about clubs closing down." May be he is more bothered about the Second Edition of ISL, due to start on 3rd October.
Bids for new clubs were invited by AIFF to get a direct entry to I League, but with two clubs threatening to shut down, potential investors may stay away from spending in the League. But the honchos of Indian Football are least bothered. The broadcast rights of I League, that was with Ten Sports, expired this year and AIFF is yet to find a new one. With the season to start only in January next year, AIFF may only wake up from their slumber in December.
AIFF's carelessness and 'Chalta Hai' attitude is killing Indian Football. Hope that the officials wake up soon before it's too late.
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