AIFF, clubs form 2 panels to raise I-League profile

With an aim to build a hype around the I-League, the participating clubs and All India Football Federation on Thursday decided to form two committees to look after the marketing and technical aspects of tournament.

The decision to form the two committees -- a marketing and a technical committee -- was taken at a meeting of I-League club representatives and the AIFF top brass, including president Praful Patel, here.

The meeting decided to make a joint effort for the development of I-League and “build a hype around the league”.

It was decided that the clubs would nominate two committees to promote the I-League better. The two committees -- a marketing and a technical -- would be part of a joint committee working collectively with all other stakeholders of the league. Patel, who chaired the meeting, emphasised that the I-League remained the “primary League of the country”.

“The AIFF supports the Hero I-League to the fullest and we will continue to do so,” he said in an AIFF release. Patel welcomed newcomers Aizawl FC into the I-League. 

Robert Royte, president of Aizawl FC, invited all the clubs to witness his side’s opening match in the I-League.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar, who recently attended an AFC Workshop in Singapore, informed about the possibility of paying a visit to some top European leagues to “witness and learn on marketing and fan development”. “Clubs can also have a look at the matchday operations, youth development programmes, etc, and it can be planned in September,” he said.