AIFF eyes deep pockets in Gulf

The All India Football Federation is eying investors based in the Gulf countries to establish football teams,which will get direct entry into the I-League in return for their investment in infrastructure and youth development. The AIFF has increased its push to induct ‘corporate’ teams into the I-League after Air India and ONGC were expelled for failing to meet the Asian Football Confederation criteria.

However,with a poor response from within the country for this corporate team scheme,AIFF president Praful Patel is likely to travel to Dubai in March to meet businessmen and convince them to invest in Indian football.

The AIFF is also planning to publish tender advertisements in leading Gulf newspapers before Patel travels to Dubai. Before that,Patel will also be meeting a couple of Indian corporates who have enquired about the corporate teams.

Two clubs,Dodsal FC and the Baichung Bhutia co-owned United Sikkim,are funded by Dubai-based companies. However,if tenders are floated,it will be the first time AIFF officially called for bids from foreign investors to establish corporate teams in India.