Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Baichung Bhutia’s on Wednesday made it clear that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has no say in deciding who (clubs) will play for Indian Super League and categorically stated that the decision lies entirely with the ISL organiser, IMG-Reliance.
It was reported that Mohun Bagan and East Bengal may say goodbye to the national football league for the lucrative Indian Super League but the merger between the two leagues has been put on hold as of now.
“It is totally a wrong concept. AIFF has nothing to do with ISL in terms of who is going to play and who is not. It’s only in the media that it has been reported about Mohun Bagan and East Bengal’s inclusion in ISL. I have been with AIFF for the last two to three years and there is not a single time that the Federation has mentioned that the two teams have to be in the ISL,” Bhutia informed.
“If the ISL organisers are trying to include more teams then it is their prerogative. AIFF runs the I-league. It is only involved in plans to merge the ISL and I-League, but has no say whether a particular team can play in a particular tournament or not,” the former India captain added.
But an important question still is — whether the top tier league remains in the hands of private organisers then what will be the future of the clubs that cannot afford to pay the huge amount of fees involved to play in the ISL.
Bhutia supported Praful Patel over his comment that the I-League and ISL need to be played for seven months each.
“Patel’s statement that the I-League and ISL need to be played for seven months is the right decision,” he said.
“Right now the biggest problem in Indian football is players’ unemployment. A lot of players are unemployed at present because the same players are playing in the I-League, ISL and a few others in the Second Division. So in this scenario, many are not getting an opportunity and contracts in the clubs,” he added.
“Once we have seven-month ISL and I-League then the number of Indian players playing in the high league will be doubled or tripled. And when the demand is more, than people and clubs will start investing, which will help in producing more good players,” he informed.
It may be noted that the present format of I-League and ISL is three months duration.
Bhutia appealed to the Goan football fans to come and support their local teams and not only the team in ISL.
“The fans need to come and support teams like Sesa Football Academy, Dempo Sports Club, Sporting Clube de Goa, Salgaocar Football Club and of course, Churchill Brothers Sports Club, who made an entry into I-League this season.
“It was very sad to see that there were very few fans to cheer Churchill Brothers in the I-League. Fans need to understand that the local clubs are equally important as FC Goa in ISL, where there is a big fan following with the tickets selling out like hot cakes for each and every game played in the State.”
“It is very unfortunate that Dempo SC, Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube have shut down their academies. It is important that the local football association needs to contribute for the game and put in some efforts to bring in fans for the tournaments and support their clubs,” he added.
On his exit from the AIFF Technical Committee, Bhutia said, it was just a process which was not followed after the tenure of three years ended.
“There are elections after every three years. My tenure got over and was not renewed. My contract was over, nothing apart from that. There was a little misunderstanding over the new coach selection issue but I am very happy to be the advisor of AIFF,” he said.
Bhutia felt that in future there will be more teams besides FC Goa, so as to create rivalry between the fans so that they can support their teams.
“In order to increase the fan level base in Goa you need to have more teams to create rivalry between fans. It should be like Manchester, which has United and City. A new team needs to be formed say, “Goa United”, which will attract more fans in supporting their team,” he said.
Talking about his football schools, Bhutia mentioned that it is the biggest grassroot programme, wherein lot of kids benefit.
“Football school have been doing very well as we are the biggest grassroot football programme in India today with 3,000 kids, plus training in 11 States. We also get scholarships from AIFF, where lot of kids come to the centres to take the benefit.
“Around four kids have been playing for India at various age level groups beside I-League, ISL and also different State champions. As the schools are non-residential only kids from that location can take the benefit,” he informed.
“In future I am looking of having a proper academy which will be allied like the Vedanta and Sesa Football Academy. These are future football academies where youngsters are getting into it to become professional players.”
“My definite plan is to have my own academy,” he concluded.
