NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed to change its name to Football Federation of Bharat (FFB). After the idea was accepted in a virtual session of the special general body (SGM), the desire to change the name will now go to the Ministry of Sports, which will make the final decision.However, the process is far from quick and easy. “This proposal (for the change) will be sent to the sports ministry. It is a process and the process has started today,” AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey told news agency PTI. “If the ministry does not approve, or if they have a different opinion, then there is no question. If the ministry approves, then we will present it to the general body. Then we will send (it) to FIFA. That is the second part of this process.“We need a few approvals, FIFA approval, ministry approval, but then you have to start from somewhere. So that’s a start.” AIFF will not be the first to undergo such a procedure. Turkey (Turkish Football Federation) are now called Turkiye (Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu) in their official communications. The same applies to the Czech Republic, which is now officially called the Czech Republic, but football’s governing body is still called the Football Association of the Czech Republic.
There is no decision on the model leading the club
The AIFF also told its governing body members that the top-flight Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on September 4. Additionally, no decision has been made on the club-run model of the ISL.On Friday, the AIFF wrote to commercial rights bidder Genius Sports and informed 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. On another note, the AIFF and ISL clubs reached a consensus last week, following a meeting with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. According to the model, which should last four years, a special unit will be created to lead the league with the clubs at the head. AIFF will meanwhile be responsible for logistics and operations. The AIFF will get a fee of Rs 16 crore per annum under this arrangement. As the AIFF awaits a response from Genius Sports, the decision is yet to be ratified by the governing body. It is expected to be discussed next week with the ISL board of directors, which consists of the clubs and three AIFF officials. 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. After that, several amendments could be made to the AIFF Statute by June 30.According to the NSGA, sports federations, such as 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 soccer calendar was also unveiled, with the ISL scheduled to begin on September 4 and the Durand Cup at the end of July.
