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Bengaluru FC found a massive fan following in their very first season in the I-LeagueThe I-League was started more than a decade ago with the primary intention to improve Indian football standards. After an 18-year long journey, Indian football has seen several ups and downs and now it is slowly fading away. The league hardly gets viewership and fans in India are not ready to follow or watch Indian clubs play.If we go through recent history, Indian football clubs have had their fair share of success. For example, Dempo Sports club of Goa became the first Indian club to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Cup – a top tier continental club championship. Even East Bengal reached the semi-final stage last year. Pune FC and Bengaluru FC too got opportunities to play in the qualifying stages of the AFC Champions League.These records are something to be proud of and our support can only improve their motivation to do well in future as well.Here are five reasons why we must follow the I-League.
#1 Following other countrys leagues make us fans, not fanatics
Football fans in India call themselves fanatics of the beautiful game and passionately watch the other top leagues of the world. While there is no harm in watching those leagues, no one can disagree with the fact that oozing out passion for a London or a Madrid-based club from India is practically not possible.
The people who actually watch and support Indian clubs are the true fanatics of the game because they can relate to the local sentiments which are attached to the local sides. Football is all about emotions and sentiments – that is what makes a true and ardent fan. Watching and vouching for foreign clubs does not make one a fanatic of the game.
#2 Quality of foreigners has improved the league\'s overall standard
The sole purpose of forming a league in India was to improve the standard of the game. While the standard has not really improved a lot, the standard of foreign players have definitely improved. Money is slowly flowing in into the clubs and into the overall Indian football setup.
Clubs are procuring quality foreigners, which ultimately benefits the Indian players. Players with experience of playing in top tiers of European football have started coming to the I-League. The marquee player rule which the All India Football Federation (AIFF) started this season has forced the clubs to bring in high-quality foreigners with vast experience.
#3 Viewership matters for the league\'s market value
The viewers contribute greatly towards the betterment of a particular football league. The broadcasting of a league depends on the average number of viewers who are watching it on television and in the stadiums.
Till date, the viewership count of the I-league has been extremely poor and also the average stadium attendance. As a result, the broadcasting channel shows very little interest. They pay a nominal amount to the football federation and also telecast only a few games.
The fans must be the agent of change. Their support can only make the league a commercially viable tool so that it incurs revenues. Those earnings can be used for the betterment of Indian football.
#4 The I-League is India\'s primary league, not the ISL
The Indian Super League was a revolution in Indian football when the All India Football Federation partnered with a top corporate body to start this new league in 2014. It brought the focus and limelight on Indian football when they invited other corporate and celebrities to invest money in the system.
The concept was fresh and it was marketed brilliantly. As a result, after its inception, it became a grand success. The attention of the masses was successfully brought towards football in India.
While it was a good initiative and AIFF must receive its share of appreciation, we must not forget that I-League is still our country’s principal and official football league. The ISL’s success will mean nothing if the I-League fades out. The country must have a single league system and the I-League must be the flag bearer.
