A little over 3 month long I-League season and a 4 month long season for the ISL.
10 teams each.
With all the talk of a merged ISL-I-League season within the next couple of years it is ridiculous to think that last years winners of the I-League Aizwal FC would see their dream win come to almost nothing. ISL seems to have the financial backing and the clout to make the AIFF favour it for the much wanted evening weekend game slots and give it preference for almost anything it needs.
They need to have promotion and relegation in place if the AIFF intends to make the ISL the premier league in the country. Unfortunately, IMG-Reliance seems to have an agreement with the current owners that there will not be any promotion or relegation for the first 10 years.
The withdrawal of 3 Goan teams Dempo SC, Sporting Clube De Goa and Salgaonkar FC from the I League in 2016 left a sour taste as they were the creme de la creme of Goa's clubs though they continue to participate in the Goa Pro League. The roadmap from AIFF which intends to rechristen I-League as League One seems to be set in stone and one way or another will be bulldozed through.
Indian Super League will still remain India's no. 2 league for now as the winners will get an AFC Cup slot (Asia's equivalent of the Europa Cup) while the I-League winners get to participate in the AFC Champions League, which is Asia's top notch competition.
The finality of this is already known. What remains to be seen is whether the clubs will take it on the chin or go down fighting as money and marquee players seem to currently dominate over rich history and immense fan base.
10 teams each.
With all the talk of a merged ISL-I-League season within the next couple of years it is ridiculous to think that last years winners of the I-League Aizwal FC would see their dream win come to almost nothing. ISL seems to have the financial backing and the clout to make the AIFF favour it for the much wanted evening weekend game slots and give it preference for almost anything it needs.
They need to have promotion and relegation in place if the AIFF intends to make the ISL the premier league in the country. Unfortunately, IMG-Reliance seems to have an agreement with the current owners that there will not be any promotion or relegation for the first 10 years.
The withdrawal of 3 Goan teams Dempo SC, Sporting Clube De Goa and Salgaonkar FC from the I League in 2016 left a sour taste as they were the creme de la creme of Goa's clubs though they continue to participate in the Goa Pro League. The roadmap from AIFF which intends to rechristen I-League as League One seems to be set in stone and one way or another will be bulldozed through.
Indian Super League will still remain India's no. 2 league for now as the winners will get an AFC Cup slot (Asia's equivalent of the Europa Cup) while the I-League winners get to participate in the AFC Champions League, which is Asia's top notch competition.
The finality of this is already known. What remains to be seen is whether the clubs will take it on the chin or go down fighting as money and marquee players seem to currently dominate over rich history and immense fan base.
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