Is IMG killing Indian football?

Is IMG-Reliance, Indian football’s commercial and marketing partners, really serious about the growth of the game in the country? So far, they have flattered to deceive ever since they bagged the rights of All India Football Federation (AIFF) in December, 2010.

This August 23, they are supposed to meet the clubs and there they would like to share the plans including the future of I-League which has become an obsolete product and a bone of contention.

The clubs are angry, frustrated and concerned at the turn of events. While IMG-Reliance has decided to launch a promotional event involving eight franchisees next year, I-League clubs are worried. They see it as a blow to their existence. With poor organisation has already hit the league, clubs now have come together under one roof for a likely showdown with the Federation.

The clubs are asking for a more participatory role in the decision making process which only allows the AIFF Executive Committee decide for them. For the readers, I must reiterate here, except former Indian international Inder Singh, none of the remaining Ex-Co members have ever played top-level football in their life. And, we all know how these members get through the corridors of AIFF.

Unsure about their immediate goal, both IMG and the Federation also seemed to have lost its track. With no creativity inside the AIFF, I’m sure it’s probably the worst phase in Indian football.

I remember in 2000, a similar kind of revolution had taken place. Then the clubs formed a parallel association and threatened the Federation for ignoring their importance. Some emergency meetings at the behest of the then AIFF president Priya Ranjan Das Munshi’s Lodhi Road residence, averted the crisis. All those who spewed venom, were either made Executive Members or Vice-Presidents including the ‘cricket-golf-models-car-football-lover’ Vijay Mallya, who had joined the protest because of his ‘generous’ sponsorship for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

The current battle is almost similar to the one which was fought 12 years ago. The clubs then also had asked for ‘respect’. But then, the fight proved to be a loosened one as some of the disgruntled members got enticed by Das Munshi magic and ditched the group. But this time, I-League clubs are a united front and are determined to fight a relentless battle.

In this context, IMG’s lack of understanding of the game in India has complicated things. India is not United States or any European nation where IMG can expect the system to be in order. We are a third generation country often lacking the importance of sports and, football always had a dishevelled look.

After one-and-half-year, IMG hasn’t spelled out their plans for Indian football. Their proposal for the IPL format football tournament, which promises to be a mega-cast event, will eventually wipe out I-League and with it the existence of the clubs.

The clubs are vying to become a part of the event. But the promoters haven’t talked whether the clubs will also become a part of this mega event.

That may have angered the clubs who still form the soul and heart of I-League.

On the top of it, there are no experts in the Federation who would understand the relevance of I-League marketing and promotion. As a result, league is a loss-making venture. Except the East Bengal – Mohun Bagan derby in Calcutta, the stadiums remain empty and nobody is really bothered about other clubs. AIFF must have some experienced and knowledgeable experts in strategic planning for the development of the league.

While the battle has intensified between the three parties, FIFA has stepped in to douse the flame.

If nothing works out, Indian football remains in a state of disorder.