Kolkata, Jun 27 (UNI) All India Football Federation Senior Vice President and Chairman, League Committee Subrata Dutta on Saturday chaired the AIFF League Committee Meeting held via video conferencing and decided Hero I-League 2021-22 will be held in Kolkata.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and League CEO Sunando Dhar, Souter Vaz, Lalnghinglova Hmar, Anil Kumar, Chirag Tanna and Rochak Langer attended the meeting, while leave of absence was granted to BK Roka.
“Under the current situation it is pertinent for all stakeholders including the players to stay fit not just physically, but also stay mentally fit. Last year we organised a number of events very successfully, and this year we would really like to organise more, the pandemic situation permitting,” Mr. Dutta said in his opening address.
Mr. Dhar apprised the Committee that the Hero I-League will be played among 13 teams this season.
“The format of the League will be the same as the last edition with all teams playing each other once, and then divided into two groups. While the top half vying for the Championship will comprise 7 teams, the bottom half which will be battling it out for the relegation will have 6 teams,” Mr. Dhar informed. “The number of matches will also be more this edition – a rise from 80 to 114.”
“We are looking at a tentative date of mid-December onwards for kicking-off the Hero I-League. We are in talks with the Indian Football Association (Bengal), and also the Government of West Bengal to successfully organise the League in Kolkata and its suburbs like the last edition,” Mr. Dhar added.
The Committee agreed that under the circumstances, and considering the possibility of a third wave, this is the best option, and approved the venue and the format.
The Committee also deliberated at length and felt that the relegation rule will be applied to the Hero I-League 2021-22 irrespective of the current situation, and there won’t be any change in the regulation once the League kicks-off.
The Committee agreed that keeping in view the circumstances and the logistical and financial feasibility, a maximum of 10 teams will be participating in the Hero I-League Qualifiers which are proposed to be held at a single venue. The Committee approved Bengaluru as the venue for the qualifiers to be held in September 2021.
