Dempo could bid for ISL’s Goa franchise

Dempo chairman Shrinivas Dempo has indicated that his Dempo group of companies could bid for the Goa franchise of IMG-Reliance’s Indian Super League (ISL).

“As I said in the past, if at all we look at the Indian Super League, it will be as a commercial opportunity. We are yet to get the bid document but at some stage I intend to get the bid document. We will see how it goes once we have the bid document in hand,” Mr Dempo was quoted saying by the TOI.

Dempo are the most successful club in I-League history and the AIFF vice president clarified that their potential team in the ISL will be a separate entity.

“I think these are two separate things. We are very focused and determined that we will sustain the I-League club. That’s the core of Indian football. I believe there are some concerns that ISL will take over the I-League.

“We need to make the I-League stronger and at whatever forum I am, I will make the right noises. If at all any of my group companies decide to bid for the (ISL) franchise, it will be a separate entity. There may, however, be common synergies which can help each other,” the Goa Football Association president stated.

Besides Dempo, a western India club, couple of clubs from Bengal and the owners of Bengaluru FC, JSW, have been rumoured to be interested in bidding for a franchise.