IMG-R's big-ticket football league postponed by six months

The much talked about Indian Super League – football’s answer to the IPL has been postponed by six months. In a meeting held between the AIFF (All India Football Federation), IMG-Reliance and broadcasters Star India, it was decided to postpone the proposed league which was scheduled for January. Star India are also stake-holders of the league. [caption id=“attachment_1197415” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Getty Images[/caption] “Keeping in view of the various key factors, including scheduling conflicts with the I-League and non-availability of stadium in Goa due to delay in Lusofonia Games - the committee has unanimously decided to launch the Indian Super League on a permanent window of September to November starting from year 2014,” IMG-R said in a press statement today. It may be a dampener for impatient football fans in India, who are upbeat about the league – especially after IMG-R had announced the likes of former Manchester United players Dwight Yorke and Louis Saha as their overseas players. Robert Pires and Hernan Crespo were also roped in while Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is in line to manage a team. “The bidding process has generated significant interest among the corporates, sports clubs and individuals and the eight League partners are expected to be in place by the end of this calendar year. An early allocation of franchises would provide at least eight month’s window for the League partners to set up their respective managerial team and work on various grassroots initiatives, marketing and community engagement activities in their catchment areas,” the statement added.