I-League club owners, including Shillong Lajong FC, have voiced serious concerns regarding delays in announcing the start date for the upcoming I-League season, urging the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to take prompt corrective action. Their formal letter, addressed to AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan, responds to a communication from the federation dated November 12, which sought feedback from I-League clubs.
The club owners noted that this outreach coincided with a pre-arranged meeting held in New Delhi, aimed at addressing the pressing issue of the yet-to-be-declared start date for the league. They highlighted that historically, the I-League would have typically started by this time of year, according to decades of scheduling norms.
After extensive discussions, the club owners reached a consensus on two crucial resolutions. First, they proposed the establishment of a Unified League Management Structure. To foster the long-term development of Indian football, the clubs suggested that all national-tier leagues-ISL, I-League, and I-League 2-be managed by a single partner. They argue that such a unified framework is vital for the sport’s sustainability and growth.
Second, the clubs insisted on an Immediate Announcement of the I-League Season. They demanded that the AIFF disclose the I-League schedule within the next ten days, aiming for the season to ideally kick off by December 15, 2025, and no later than January 5, 2026. Furthermore, they stressed that matches should be broadcast by major networks like Star Sports, Jio Hotstar, Sony Sports, and Sony LIV to enhance visibility and ensure engagement with India’s top-tier footballers.
The letter urged the AIFF to approach this matter with the utmost seriousness, requesting an urgent meeting to finalize decisions. The clubs reminded the federation that the current AIFF administration, under President Kalyan Chaubey, assumed office amid high hopes for reform and progress. They underscored that “Indian Football can no longer wait,” reinforcing the need for immediate and decisive action.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/sport/story/i-league-clubs-including-shillong-lajong-fc-demand-one-partner-model-for-all-national-leagues-1303640-2025-11-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-11-14 08:34:00
