Now, another league for Delhi

At a time when reports that Delhi might be dropped from the AFC's list of beneficiaries through the Vision India project are making the rounds...

At a time when reports that Delhi might be dropped from the AFC8217;s list of beneficiaries through the Vision India project are making the rounds, a new league comprising the best in the business in the Capital 8212; that is, top eight of the fourteen participating clubs in the senior division DSA league 8212; is what Delhi8217;s soccer fans can cheer about.

Delhi Soccer Association secretary NK Bhatia says the Elite league has been planned to encourage local participation. 8220;The top eight clubs of the senior division will play in the league which will be played from July. The last two teams will be relegated to the senior division and the toppers from the same will be promoted.

8220;For the vacant spots in the senior division, we can increase the number of promoted teams from A division from two to four. The AFC wants our clubs to play at least 70 to 80 matches, but our current format supports only 22 matches. The changes will be made accordingly and the clubs are also preparing for the same,8221; says Bhatia.

But this is only the Asian Football Confederation AFC keeping its promise in reply to DSA8217;s response to the constitutional reforms suggested. The DSA, however, has been lax about keeping its side and hopes to meet AFC8217;s requirements 8212; every club having its own fields, a permanently functioning office and a licensed referee.

8220;New Delhi Heroes, Shimla Youngs and Hindustan Club have already hired a few University grounds and meet other requirements as well. The rest of the clubs will also be made to do so. Depending on the success, other criteria might be enforced from the second edition,8221; added Bhatia.

Meanwhile, Shaji Prabhakaran, director of the Vision India Project, said Delhi might not be off AFC8217;s radar, but the Elite league is only a possibility now as the state federation has been asked to amend its constitution by December by AFC, failing which the league can8217;t kick off as it8217;s a part of AFC8217;s consequent programme.

8220;They have to make some changes in their constitution by December like having a full-time general secretary, composition of the executive committee and so on. Otherwise there8217;s no possibility of organising the league. Manipur got AFC8217;s nod along with Delhi in 2005; it started there within a year,8221; he said.

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Talks on the implementation of such leagues in other states are on. 8220;We are discussing West Bengal and Goa as the next destinations. But the formats will vary according to the requirements of these two states,8221; added Prabhakaran.