True that. AIFF failed famously to energize the football environment and to create a viable ecosystem (currently the ISL is an nonviable option). The NFL, when created, did create some buzz, but it wasn't followed up to elevate the game to the next level. NFL had all the markings of a robust league. Yet, the next real pro club BFC took so many years to germinate. And after some top clubs going bust. This clearly shows AIFF didn't put anything in the league for the clubs. The re-christened I-league didn't change the script. From the clubs' viewpoint, it was always a losing match. So much so, I often wonder, why they were, and are, continuing.
From 1996 all along, Indian football story is more about funerals and less about celebrations, presided over by AIFF. It is a different story that AIFF is lionized by AFC for this 'success', but in my opinion, the clubs should be handed the lesser part of the blame, majority should go to the Fed. Undoubtedly.
Uncertainity, no proper timetable for either NT nor I-League, Fed Cup, fetish for ISL has all caused decline of Indian Football.
By the way, just noticed that the biggest stadium this year for any I-League club is for Chennai City FC. JLN Chennai. Hopefully they will get decent crowd.
Neroca FC and Mohammedan Sporting look like heavyweights in this 2nd Division. So many new clubs - 3 from Delhi, 2 from Srinagar. Even Jabalpur is there. Only 1 club from North East? No club from Kerala or Goa???
What is the background of this much-referred club Sudeva FC? And since when Kashmir have become the hotspot of football? Whatever happened to the Delhi clubs ND heroes, Hindustan FC and others? Why FC Bardez is not considered?
Chanmari/bardez....also why not get top psu's in ileague 2 at least?.....railways /services/army/at the minimum deserve a shot...also surprised Bangalore's south united are not attempting this year
Comments
From 1996 all along, Indian football story is more about funerals and less about celebrations, presided over by AIFF. It is a different story that AIFF is lionized by AFC for this 'success', but in my opinion, the clubs should be handed the lesser part of the blame, majority should go to the Fed. Undoubtedly.
By the way, just noticed that the biggest stadium this year for any I-League club is for Chennai City FC. JLN Chennai. Hopefully they will get decent crowd.
End of January for the Preliminary Round