Kamal Ghorui
Panaji: Should the All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee approve, the I-League, India’s second tier league, will have a new name, and a different look.The I-League started as the National Football League (NFL) when Indian football moved from a tournament format to a semi-professional league structure in 1996-97. The league was remodelled in 2007 and named I-League. Now, there’s set to be another change with participating clubs proposing an Indian Football League (IFL) touted as a “landmark step that marks a transformative shift in the governance and development of club football in India.”“The clubs have proposed change of name from I-League to Indian Football League and we have sought the approval of executive committee,” AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan told TOI on Wednesday. “We had a joint meeting between I-League clubs and AIFF officials, where the governing council and management committee was formed, pending approval of the (executive) committee.”The joint meeting was attended by eight club representatives with Churchill Brothers FC, Aizawl FC and newly-promoted Chanmari FC missing. Sources said at least two of these clubs will eventually take part. Even I-League club representative Larsing Sawyan, former AIFF vice president and Shillong Lajong owner, said they’ve been in touch with “10 clubs”.Clubs have been asked to confirm participation before Feb 2.The I-League or IFL will kick off on Feb 21, a week after the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL). The season will feature a two-stage format. The League stage will see “all confirmed participating clubs” compete in a single-leg round-robin format, while the top six play for the championship (home and away) and the bottom five battle to escape relegation (centralised).The IFL has been envisioned as a modern, club-governed national league, where participating clubs collectively shape the sporting, commercial, regulatory, and developmental framework. Clubs will also have a decisive and democratic voice.“In the new system, all owners have now come on board and directly dealing with the federation,” said a senior AIFF official. “They are actively involved in the running of the league. They are all motivated to do something different, rather than continue to bleed (financially). The I-League is now open to being sold for sponsorships since the rights don’t belong to the marketing partners. The clubs are keen to drive this forward. The name change indicates a fresh start.”Rajasthan United owner KK Tak said the IFL represents a progressive and much-needed evolution for Indian football.“A club-driven governance model empowers stakeholders who invest in players, infrastructure, and development on the ground. Rajasthan United fully supports this initiative, which prioritises transparency, sustainability, and collective responsibility,” said Tak.
