NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday informed its governing body members that the top-flight Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on September 4. During the Virtually Attended Special General Assembly (SGM), no decision was made on the proposed ISL model under the leadership of the club.On Friday, the AIFF wrote to commercial rights bidder Genius Sports, informing them of the postponement of the final decision. The national body also clarified that Indian football will take a different path in its financial structure. According to this new deal, AIFF and ISL clubs reached a consensus last week after a meeting with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The model, which should last four years, proposes the creation of a separate entity to run the league, with the clubs at the helm. The AIFF, meanwhile, will be responsible for logistics and operations and will receive Rs 16 crore annually under the arrangement.As the AIFF awaits a response from Genius Sports, the proposal is yet to be ratified by the governing body. It is expected to be discussed next week by the ISL Board of Directors, which consists of representatives from the club and three AIFF officials.
AIFF is considering a name change
In an interesting move, AIFF is also considering changing its name to Football Federation of Bharat (FFB).TimesofIndia.com understands that the idea was mooted during the SGM. However, it is not a simple process, as it requires the approval of the Executive Committee before being sent to the Ministry of Sports.After not getting the required time for consideration at the previous SGM held in Kolkata in May, the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA) was passed on Saturday. After that, several amendments could be made to the AIFF Statute by June 30.According to the NSGA, sports federations — like the AIFF — have until June 30 to formally adopt and implement the new constitutional amendments and governance guidelines issued by the Ministry of Sports.During the SGM, the football calendar was also discussed, with the start of the ISL on September 4, and the Durand Cup at the end of July.
