Kolkata, Nov 23 (IANS) With all three bids from interested parties not being up to the mark, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was forced to call for another round of tendering for a new corporate club to play in the I-League starting January 7.
Minerva Academy FC, FC Bardez Goa and Chennai City FC were the three clubs in question for a direct entry into the league. The I-League received a fresh jolt on Tuesday when Sporting Clube de Goa decided against participating in the top flight tournament, joining another Goa-based club Salgaocar which pulled out earlier.
Although Dempo -- promoted in the top tier of the second division this season -- have not made it official, word is that the five-time league winners will go the same way citing lack of clarity from the federation.
Also Read: AIFF not worried over I-League clubs opting out: Kushal Das
The AIFF's bid evaluation committee comprising its general secretary Kushal Das, senior vice-president Subrata Dutta and league's CEO Sunando Dhar sat down on Wednesday and listened to presentations from all the three interested parties. But in the end, they couldn't confirm a single bid.
Also Read: I-League 2017: Goan clubs pull out in the face of uncertain future
The I-League has now only seven confirmed clubs (East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, DSK Shivajians, Mumbai FC, Shillong Lajong, Aizawl FC). Meanwhile, a two-day scouting camp of the U-16 youth league players for the U-17 World Cup, to be hosted by India in 2017, concluded in the capital on Wednesday.
AIFF's Director of Scouting and former India player Abhishek Yadav said in a release, "Some of our players in the U-17 World Cup squad have been found out through scouting and we have to unearth talent in order to add to the ranks of the Indian squad."
"There is no dearth of talent in the nation and through this scouting network we ensure that every part of the country is touched."
"Every stakeholder plays an important role when we host the U-17 World Cup next year and it is the onus of the clubs to send us their best players so we can take a look at them", the former striker said.
Yadav is also the chief operating officer for the U-17 World Cup. Asked about his plans for the shortlisted players, Yadav stated, "We will shortlist players who we feel will suit the setup of the Indian U-17 World Cup squad. It will be up to the discretion of the Head Coach (Nicolai Adam) if the shortlisted players are good enough to play for the national team."
Fifty players were called for the first day of the scouting camp and on the second day, the number was pruned to 25. "We are searching for quality, not quantity. The players need to be gifted technically if they are to catch our eye", Yadav said.
The third phase of the scouting through the U-16 youth league will commence at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, next Friday and Saturday.
--IANS
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