FIFA gives more importance to the I-League than ISL

Football fans are now having a gala time this year as Indian Super League (ISL) kicks off this October. Indian Football has received this remarkable tournament which is about to change the scenario of the sports in India. Patterned in the framework of Indian Premier League (IPL), this football gala has created a rage with top international footballers like Roberto Pires, Alessandro Del Pierre, Luis Garcia and Michael Chopra extending their support for the league. With Bollywood heartthrobs and leading business tycoons involved in it, ISL has been able to a frantic mass awareness with its marketing partner IMG – Reliance and broadcasting partner Star TV.

Recently, General Secretary Jerome Valcke visited India and has spoken highly regarding the initiatives which AIFF is taking in order to redefine the courses of football in the country. Although it has been a matter of great delight for both FIFA and AIFF that the ISL is receiving such an appealing response, but both the organisations are adding more priority to I-League over the ISL, since the former is the older league. AIFF President Praful Patel has commented that AIFF will surely leave no stones unturned to make ISL a big success but there is no way that I-League will be ignored. The governing body is striving hard to take all sorts of enterprises which will help to refine the pattern of the I-League. To make this even more prominent and categorical, Valcke said, “I-league is the only league in India. You cannot have two leagues in a country. We will not call ISL a league, though it's a good platform for budding talent.” 

AIFF has also made it clear that I-League will continue to enjoy the numero uno status in the subcontinent where the ISL will be a great backup and will help the sport to achieve new horizons in the uncharted sporting history. Praful Patel, himself, stated that I-League is the original league for India whereas the ISL is a ‘short term booster’ and it is expected that ISL clubs eventually will progress into the I-League. He added, “Some of ISL clubs have already started thinking that how they can merge into the I-league.” Meanwhile AIFF is also thinking over to change the time schedule of the ISL matches as they are in talks with STAR Sports regarding it, although nothing has been finalised yet. 

Under Praful Patel profile, AIFF is creating strong grounds for the aspiring players by introducing a stream of grassroots programmes and courses, conducted in every corner of the country. These programmes are organised with the objective to shape up the performance skills of the young players and to propel them in order to pursue this game in future, representing the country. Jerome Valcke has also attached great importance to these grass roots level games which he thinks will be attaching a lot of credentials to the sport in the country.

Author’s Bio: AIFF President Praful Patel has said that AIFF will leave no stones unturned to make ISL a success but I-League will always be the top priority for the organisation. For more Praful Patel information, visit his social media profile on Facebook and Twitter.

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