The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has passed a budget of Rs 134 crore for the 2023-24 financial year during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru. This budget marks an increase of nearly Rs 50 crore compared to the previous year. The AIFF’s finance committee chairman, Menla Ethenpa, stated that last year’s budget was deemed meager for a country as large as India.
The AGM also approved the appointment of a statutory auditor to audit the federation’s accounts and financial statements for the year 2022-23. Representatives from 34 member state associations and two affiliate members, Railways Sports Promotion Board and Services Sports Control Board, attended the meeting. Observers from FIFA, AFC, IOA, and AIFF marketing partners FSDL were also present.
AIFF’s general secretary, Shaji Prabhakaran, had previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the low budget and urged for a significant increase. On Tuesday, Prabhakaran announced that the upcoming I-League season (2023-24) would most likely adopt a conference-style competition similar to the model used in the USA.
Prabhakaran revealed that discussions with the I-League teams would take place soon to make a final decision. He expressed his belief that the conference system should be implemented in the upcoming season. The AIFF intends to induct five new teams to the I-League, but certain criteria, such as Club Licensing Criteria, must be fulfilled.
Under the conference system, the teams would be divided into two conferences based on geographical proximity. Each conference would consist of teams playing home and away matches. The top four teams from each group would then compete for the title, while the remaining teams battle to avoid relegation. This restructuring aims to reduce operational costs for the clubs by minimizing travel distances for away matches.
Prabhakaran emphasized the need to restructure the I-League to ensure smaller clubs can survive by reducing players’ travel and accommodation costs. By lowering logistics expenses, smaller budget clubs can sustain themselves, and it would facilitate the expansion of the I-League across the country.
The AIFF’s focus is to allocate more budget towards developing football and improving the overall product of the sport. The intention is to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Indian football while providing opportunities for teams from various regions to participate in the league.
The decision to increase the budget and introduce a conference system in the I-League demonstrates the AIFF’s commitment to fostering the growth of football in India. The upcoming season promises to bring new energy and excitement to the sport as the teams prepare for a revamped competition format.
