its one thing to debate on forum and social media, but players prefer to play in ISL to bolster their chances to be in NT or getting recognition(that is fact) .. FSDL/AIFF made these leagues or scenarios into this way
I am not debating the practicality of these issues. There is nothing wrong in a player's aspirations to play in the NT or getting recognition, and it is a fact that AIFF/FSDL have skewed things heavily in favour of ISL. However, there is also the question of money. It has been said that players were joining ISL teams not necessarily because of the glamour factor/gaining recognition but because they were getting a better salary there. Now with Quess coming in and EB acquiring more financial clout, there may be a more level playing field (though I am not sure about that). There have been rumours that Pintu Mahata had been courted by some ISL clubs, but he ultimately decided to join EB because he was offered a better pay packet here. Boithang Haokip too left BFC, an ISL club to join East Bengal. Considering these factors, can it be guaranteed that Ashique or any other Indian footballer for that matter would not opt for East Bengal if he is provided financial security and game time?
Another factor needs to be taken into consideration. It is the post-Constantine era with Igor Stimac as our head coach. He has said that he values both the leagues, reiterating that the I-league has tradition which the ISL lacks and that working with both the I-league and ISL clubs will be key for Indian football. However, it is a fact that he chose most of his players (apart from Joby Justin) from the ISL in his 30 member squad. Nevertheless, his words would give some hope to the young players aspiring to play in the NT who can expect that it is not which league he plays in but his performance which would be the ultimate yardstick for a NT call-up.
My question was based on all these considerations without ignoring the ground reality of Indian football.
I dont doubt EB's or any I league clubs capability of paying more but player's aspirations to play in the NT is the main reason for selecting club( and there are other players who have told their agents that they will negotiate only IF they get to be in ISL)
I will explain with both players example 1. Ashique- even though stimac praised I league at the end of day he chose only one player from I league.... in future there is no guarantee unless stimac prove us wrong till then I just like many players would assume one needs to be in ISL to get recognized for NT now recognition - if you know Ashique has opened academy , now being ex ISL player (for new fans/players in Indian football post 2014 era ) adds more weightage in marketing of his academy as compared to ex I league player cos like it or not reliance is putting their league as top league of country (and some players do consider going back to I league is step back even if its not)
2. Pintu Mehta- there are good chances that coach or management must have convinced him staying in EB for more game time , he is 22 so he can improve himself till the time he gets into ISL or NT(if he is good he ultimately gets reward). ISL gives glamour but if he fails there then that also gets recognized all over the place. I am sure player wont like "failed ISL player" while going back to I league this is all guess work but this might have been told to him while retaining
3. Haokip hes 27 and there is no way he will get more time in BFC forget NT his only chance is now is be regular and have better salary than what he was getting in BFC which must have been fulfilled by EB. since NT is not priority for him atm he must have gone for EB
consider example of IPL vs syed mushtaq ali trophy in cricket, if you add 3-4 foreigners in domestic trophy and increase salaries it wont be much different than IPL but still IPL will attract people. and considering short span of careers in athlet's lives fame is important , I believe ISL vs I league is similar
Aspiration is good but to achieve it (NT) , more perspiration also required( More playing time) , otherwise within couple of years all potential talents will go into gutter. Some players already started to realize it , others also join soon.
No ISL viewership is much bigger but only because it is being shown on 10 channels while I-League is only being shown on some random obscure channel which no one has and also next season there won't be much telecast of I-League
10 CHANNELS does not assure viewer ships, the average viewers on the field for I league clubs are higher eXcept NEUFC/BFC /KBFC. Even last year EB/MB has higher viewership than ATK. Already Pune City FC/ Delhi are in trouble. Every team is financially loss position. Interesting to see how long they sustained with Aunty's blessings without the legacy of EB and MB
Comments
Another factor needs to be taken into consideration. It is the post-Constantine era with Igor Stimac as our head coach. He has said that he values both the leagues, reiterating that the I-league has tradition which the ISL lacks and that working with both the I-league and ISL clubs will be key for Indian football. However, it is a fact that he chose most of his players (apart from Joby Justin) from the ISL in his 30 member squad. Nevertheless, his words would give some hope to the young players aspiring to play in the NT who can expect that it is not which league he plays in but his performance which would be the ultimate yardstick for a NT call-up.
My question was based on all these considerations without ignoring the ground reality of Indian football.
I will explain with both players example
1. Ashique- even though stimac praised I league at the end of day he chose only one player from I league.... in future there is no guarantee unless stimac prove us wrong till then I just like many players would assume one needs to be in ISL to get recognized for NT
now recognition - if you know Ashique has opened academy , now being ex ISL player (for new fans/players in Indian football post 2014 era ) adds more weightage in marketing of his academy as compared to ex I league player cos like it or not reliance is putting their league as top league of country (and some players do consider going back to I league is step back even if its not)
2. Pintu Mehta- there are good chances that coach or management must have convinced him staying in EB for more game time , he is 22 so he can improve himself till the time he gets into ISL or NT(if he is good he ultimately gets reward). ISL gives glamour but if he fails there then that also gets recognized all over the place.
I am sure player wont like "failed ISL player" while going back to I league
this is all guess work but this might have been told to him while retaining
3. Haokip
hes 27 and there is no way he will get more time in BFC forget NT
his only chance is now is be regular and have better salary than what he was getting in BFC which must have been fulfilled by EB. since NT is not priority for him atm he must have gone for EB
consider example of IPL vs syed mushtaq ali trophy in cricket, if you add 3-4 foreigners in domestic trophy and increase salaries it wont be much different than IPL but still IPL will attract people. and considering short span of careers in athlet's lives fame is important , I believe ISL vs I league is similar
Already Pune City FC/ Delhi are in trouble. Every team is financially loss position. Interesting to see how long they sustained with Aunty's blessings without the legacy of EB and MB