Barasat: The attendance of Hero I-league has increased over forty percent in 2015 said I-League CEO Sunando Dhar. The I-League CEO was present at Barasat during Mohun Bagan vs Churchill Brothers match on Sunday.
The turn out in the Hero I-League has significantly increased from the last season and has been promising to become more popular this season, I-League CEO Sunando Dhar confirmed that to the existing media at Barasat today when he came to watch Mohun Bagan to play Churchill Brothers. He said, “Last year, the attendance had increased by 40% compare to the previous season and with the way this season has begun, we are hoping that the number will be more this season.” He added, “Though there is just a single club from Goa this season, but we hope there would be some good crowd as well.”
When the promotion is so less for the league compared to the ISL, this news would certainly be pleasing the football fans across the country who feel I-League to be the number one league in the country. At the same time, the I-League CEO said, “We had a thought of merging the two leagues after the U17 FIFA World Cup but unfortunately nothing has been finalized as yet. So, at the moment I cannot say much about the proposed merger.”
Meanwhile, The AIFF has warned through a letter to Mohun Bagan for organizing the pre match press meet of the I-League opener in front of a wrong logo. At the same time Mohun Bagan has confirmed The All India Football Federation that they would be playing the return leg of the Kolkata derby on 9th April. Sunando said, “Mohun Bagan has informed us that they would play the return leg of the Kolkata Derby on the 9th April but they haven’t confirmed the venue as yet.”
On the other hand, East Bengal had verbally appealed against Aizwal FC for playing the last few seconds with 12 men against them but Sunando said, “Yes they appealed and I spoke to Referee Assessor Gautam Kar. He told me that it was a mistake but not a major one to deduct points from Aizwal FC.”
The I-League CEO thoroughly enjoyed the game in front of a full house stadium at Barasat.