The I League or the ISL?

Where should Indian football head? I-League or ISL

There is a growing debate amongst Indian football faithfuls whether AIFF should have gone for ISL or simply revamped I-League. There is a strong opinion amongst the ‘footy’ guys who think I-League is where the money should have been pumped in instead of creating a quasi-league in a country where football is not even a popular sport.

But interestingly, people seldom forget that I-League which has been revamped twice in 15 years is nothing more than a white elephant for AIFF. The traditional owners are in no mood to relinquish their stake to new investors whereas the clubs have almost zero or very little infrastructure. 

Although this is a grave reason, the AIFF could’ve re-branded I-League with the existing infrastructure as it would’ve made a real incision into the true fan-base of Indian football along with bringing in the casual guys into the fold.

If we compare ISL and the I-league to Thailand's national football league or the Thai Premier League which is the best league in South Asia and it consists of 18 clubs we stand no chance even with the glamour of Trezeguet, Del Piero and Materazzi. Clubs there play in AFC Champions League. The TV deal is worth 17 million US$ a year. When this TV money is distributed among 18 clubs then the bottom ranked club is assured of atleast 6 cr INR. Where the top club in I-League doesn't get that much money after winning the I-League. 

Money is also a reason why Indian football clubs are no longer even in the map of Asian football. Average clubs from far-east and south-east are earning 10 times more than the champion of Indian league, that too in just TV rights and sponsorship.

Indian football is at its crossroads now. It remains to be seen whether the glitz and glam of ISL develops Indian football or goes down the I-League way.