There was a dream that every football once harboured, to play top flight football in India, wearing the jersey of one of their favourite clubs. Once there were many in the I-League “ Dempo SC, Salgaocar, Sporting Clube de Goa, Churchill Bros and more. Now there may be none. The emergence of the all frills, big money, veteran player Indian Super League has captured the imagination of football fans in India, most of them atleast. The format is shorter, the merchandise attractive and the fact that it is being broadcast with a lot of fanfare has helped. Of course, this league has the backing of the Ambanis and others who have invested in the teams.
The I-League, on the other hand, is only about one thing “ football. It’s not to say that there haven’t been attempts to raise the league’s status up, but attempts to do so fell by the wayside. There was negligible audience participation, which is something many Goans have to hold themselves responsible for. Now the clubs will pull out and only participate in the Goa Pro League. This would mean smaller budgets and probably a more competitive local league. But, will this hamper Indian football in the long run?
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The decision by Dempo SC to join Salgaocar SC and Sporting Clubs to withdraw from the I-League is a big jolt for the already suffering I-League. While AIFF has been hard on its policies, the future of Indian Football remains uncertain as ever.
Willie Severes, IT engineer
I'm an avid supporter of the I-League because it has never failed to provide a platform for local talent. ISL focuses more on the established and glamorous. I remember watching Sporting Club de Goa for one entire season at Duler and the kind of players and style of play was very raw. I'm not one of those who support ISL because the I-League is way more competitive and shows you some real quality football. I studied at St. Xaviers college in Mapusa and our college team was a star studded lineup as most of the players also represented different teams from the ileague. To think about it now, what will happen to those boys who really flourished because of the exposure given to them via the I-League?
Azaan Sayed, resort manager
I think it's a good decision by the Goan clubs. Since the AIFF is still clueless about the working of the league structure in India, it gives time for our clubs to reassess the situation and come back with a plan once the AIFF has a structure for Indian football. Knowing the contribution of all these three clubs and their passion towards football it's sure they won't shut shop, but they can use this time frame to study the markets and come back with ways to further develop their fanbase and youth development programs. Whatever said and done one thing is guaranteed a lot of our Goan boys seeking a career in the sport will be left in two minds now.
Clyde Diaz, football trainer
