So are we meant to now just sit here and say "Oh Baichung you are so right" I mean he is a great player and all but does he know much about off field football. First off a new franchise/club team in Bangalore can not be started now and be ready in time for 2012-13. Also not even he can tell us how 16 teams can work when the current 14 are not fully-professional. This just seems like another "Well England have 20 so we should continue adding teams" just like the AIFF thought "Well England does it" when making a 2nd Division. Come on mate, use some brains.
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US"><font face="Georgia">Where will all the best freestyle football action be this season? Right
here in India!<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US"><font face="Georgia">Time to show off all those cool tricks that you do with a football and
the magical touch of your feet because Red Bull Street Style 2012 is coming to
India! It offers a platform to showcase some of the most talented football
freestylers of the country. And what’s more!? The winner gets to represent
India and go all the way to Italy for the international Street Style finals! So
what are you waiting for? Check out this cool video and get ready to play
Street Style! <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><div><font face="Georgia"><br></font></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.redbull.in/cs/Satellite/en_IN/Video/Red-Bull-Street-Style-Freestyle-football-trick-021243210756584">http://www.redbull.in/cs/Satellite/en_IN/Video/Red-Bull-Street-Style-Freestyle-football-trick-021243210756584</a>;
</p></div>
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Is the I-League heading for expansion?</h3><div class="post-header" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-size: 9px; color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2970323136249004189" style="width: 600px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="text-align: left; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyqHL1WQtS8/TqG5lHCb2SI/AAAAAAAAA2E/u1-Z4tMKCWI/s1600/I-League+New.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(255, 153, 0); "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666013853404354850" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyqHL1WQtS8/TqG5lHCb2SI/AAAAAAAAA2E/u1-Z4tMKCWI/s200/I-League+New.jpg" style="border: 1px solid transparent; position: relative; padding: 1px; background-color: transparent; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 85px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "></a><font color="#404040">Yesterday at an event in Bangalore former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia made comments on a number of issues related to Indian football amongst them about expansion of the I-League from currently 14 to 16 teams.</font><br><br><b><font color="#ff0000">Baichung Bhutia, co-owner of the promoted United Sikkim FC, welcomed the expansion of the I-League by the All India Football Federation, but sources within the AIFF and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance seem unaware of any such move. As per the knowledge of the sources such a move is not on the cards at the moment as long as IMG-Reliance does not present their plans on the future of the I-League.</font></b><br><br><font color="#404040">Baichung had told the media in Bangalore yesterday, "Expanding the I-League will help boost the game of football in the country!"</font><br><br><font color="#404040">"More teams are very important but if you have two more teams from Goa and Kolkata it doesn't make any sense. We need to have teams from different parts of the country because at the end of the day you need to spread the game all over," Baichung added.</font><br><br><font color="#404040">I couldn't agree more with Baichung then cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai could and should have an own team in the I-League just like the states of Kerala and Punjab, which could easily support two teams in the I-League only if its football clubs better organised and/or have the necessary financial backing.</font><br><br><font color="#404040">The question at the end of the day is, if the I-League is expanded to 16 teams or maybe even to 18/20 in the future, would it help in the spread of the top tier across the country or would more teams from Kolkata, Goa and Maharashtra take those available spots. Then with promotion and relegation the teams with financial cloud come through and on that front Kolkata and Goa are way ahead of other states and cities.</font></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="text-align: left; "><a href="http://arunfoot.blogspot.in/2012/05/is-i-league-heading-for-expansion.html">http://arunfoot.blogspot.in/2012/05/is-i-league-heading-for-expansion.html</a>;
</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="text-align: left; "><font color="#404040"><br></font></div></div>
I am in favour of expansion as of now but only if the team is from either Bangalore, Kerala or Punjab!!! As per, the other places are concerned, I would first like to have a stable regional league (preferably local franchise based)!! Let this regional league is stable enough for 2-3 years, AIFF can then expand the i-league by introducing the teams from these places!!<div><br></div><div>For example, once NPL is stable (performance wise at par with other leagues , by end of 2014), Ileague can be expanded with team from that zone!!</div>
<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">I just hope AIFF is smart here. I still am in favor of contraction as opposed to expanding right now. It just seems like we are rushing a Bangalore team into I-League which is stupid. I am sorry to @Rudra but have Bangalore shown the support to deserve a team yet. Bangalore can be looked for the future but not now.</font>
<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">I just hope AIFF is smart here. I still am in favor of contraction as opposed to expanding right now. It just seems like we are rushing a Bangalore team into I-League which is stupid. I am sorry to @Rudra but have Bangalore shown the support to deserve a team yet. Bangalore can be looked for the future but not now.</font>
<br><div>there was public to watch a last placed team with no promotion....and yet you think they are not prepared for a team???</div><div><br></div><div>if they get their local players to their team then it will atleast 60% full stadium</div>
I agree wit arsenal if banglore is nt in a state 2 develop 2 play in i league!i thnk aiff should look in othr cities n place lik punjab ,haryana,hyderabad ,delhi etc
I agree wit arsenal if banglore is nt in a state 2 develop 2 play in i league!i thnk aiff should look in othr cities n place lik punjab ,haryana,hyderabad ,delhi etc
I agree wit arsenal if banglore is nt in a state 2 develop 2 play in i league!i thnk aiff should look in othr cities n place lik punjab ,haryana,hyderabad ,delhi etc
Actually yes, I do not believe they are ready for a team. We have seen the pictures, it is not as if the Bangalore Football Stadium is actually full or even 30% full most of the time. I know that is normal for the teams already in the league but if I-League and AIFF want to expand they should now make sure that the new teams have a proven fan base club with a good stadium option. Make sure the owners also are owners that want to attract the fans, maybe start an official supporters group.<div><br></div><div>Anyway if AIFF want to expand to other cities then first stop pro/rel because that wont help the cause if the only club from Shillong and only club that gets a sell out and the only pro like club in Pune go down and another Kolkata and Goa club come up.</div><div><br></div><div>In terms of cities I think we should first hit Kerala. We all saw the support they got at the EK Tournament. I am sure with a smart ownership they can make it. Of course the problem is finding the owner.</div><div><br></div><div>Then you have Delhi which we all know is a football hub based on past tournaments. A Delhi club at the Ambedkar would be a success. Then we should attempt to go back into NE expansion by having a 4th NE club join the league. Preferably from Mizoram. Then of course Assam or Nagaland if ready. I really only think we should ONLY HAVE 5 teams from the North-East. Its such a small area. Let the 5 clubs be able to branch out to other places.</div><div><br></div><div>After that you can go back to Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Punjab, etc</div><div><br></div><div>At least take advantage of the good proven markets first. Also if we do expansion lets wait till 2013-14. I doubt any expansion teams can be announced in I-League and be ready on time.</div>
Comments
here in India!<o:p></o:p></font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US"><font face="Georgia"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0cm"><span lang="EN-US"><font face="Georgia">Time to show off all those cool tricks that you do with a football and
the magical touch of your feet because Red Bull Street Style 2012 is coming to
India! It offers a platform to showcase some of the most talented football
freestylers of the country. And what’s more!? The winner gets to represent
India and go all the way to Italy for the international Street Style finals! So
what are you waiting for? Check out this cool video and get ready to play
Street Style!
</p></div>
</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="text-align: left; "><font color="#404040"><br></font></div></div>
<br><div>there was public to watch a last placed team with no promotion....and yet you think they are not prepared for a team???</div><div><br></div><div>if they get their local players to their team then it will atleast 60% full stadium</div>