No decision on new franchises, as AIFF decide for a fresh round of tendering
Internet Desk: The bid evaluation committee of the AIFF (All India Football Federation) failed to take a decision on the new franchises that have submitted bid documents for a direct entry in the forthcoming I League 2016-17 season.
The Federation has decided to invite new tender on November 25. The last date for receiving fresh tender is December 08. The bid evaluation committee will meet again on December 11, to decide on the new franchises.
The committee which comprised of AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta and I League CEO Sunando Dhar met at the Football House on Wednesday to evaluate and discusse at length about the three bids from Minerva Academy FC, FC Bardez Goa and Chennai City FC who have wholeheartedly shown the interest to ply their trade in the next edition of the Hero I-League.
However, the bid evaluation committee, after evaluation, has decided to go for a fresh round of tendering. According to an insider in the committee, the bids were cancelled on the grounds of technical problems.
The AIFF secretary stressed on the fact that it's really encouraging to see three clubs showing their keenness to appear in the top-tier club competition of the Indian Football ecosystem.
"It's truly heartening to see these three clubs, that too from different states across the Nation, showing their enthusiasm to play in the Hero I-League. This actually highlights that we're heading towards a bright future of Indian Football, involving every nook and corner of the country", said Mr Das.
Meanwhile, referring to the decision of Sporting Clube de Goa to officially pulling out from the next edition of Hero I-League, Mr. Das dubbed it as "very unfortunate and sad."
"Sporting Clube de Goa has contributed significantly to Indian Football since their inception. It's really sad to see them withdrawing from Hero I-League now", he added.
According to Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Minnerva Academy FC, “We respect the decision of AIFF. We need to submit a few more papers which we will do accordingly. We hope to see ourselves in the forthcoming I League.”
