New Delhi : In a major decision today , I League Committee decided there will be no marquee footballer for I League from this season . The decision comes as a major blow to the popularity of the premier football league of the country . It was anticipated AIFF have to make away with this marquee rule keeping in mind the growing popularity of ISL . It was also decided to revive the Federation Cup which will start from next May . It will be a 8 team affair on a home and away basis .
The I-League Committee met today at the Headquarter of AIFF Football House, Dwarka, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ankur Dutta, Vice-Chairman, I-League Committee while Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF and Mr. Subrata Dutta, Vice-President, AIFF were also along with Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League. Representatives from all Hero I-League clubs were present in the meeting.
The discussion primarily zeroed in on the Hero I-League 2015-16 format and fixtures which will be finalised soon. Hero I-League 2015-16 is scheduled to kick-off on 9th January, 2016 and is meant to run till May, 2016.
Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO I-League, made a proposal to have an I-League Marketing Committee to streamline the marketing strategy of Hero I-League. Representatives from clubs will also be included in the committee. A tentative plan will be drafted by the team and the same will be shared with all stakeholders so that the promotions can commence well before the kick-off.
The financials including the prize money were also discussed and the proposals from the meeting will be put up at next AIFF Executive Committee meeting for approval. The Champions will be handed over a hefty cheque of Rs. 1 Crore (one). First and second runners up will pocket prize money of INR 60 Lakhs and INR 40 Lakhs respectively. Fourth placed team will take home not less than INR 25 Lakhs at the end of the league. Clubs will earn INR 50,000 for winning every Hero I-League match in the upcoming league, a substantial increase from last season.
Subsidies will also be increased keeping the clubs’ interest in mind. Travel subsidy will be raised to INR 45 Lakhs and match-day subsidy will be increased to INR 1 Lakh which will see a rise of INR 30,000 from last season.
FSDL informed that they are in constant touch with the broadcaster and they assured to push for televising as many Hero I-League “LIVE” matches as possible, which can only be finalised once the fixtures are confirmed.