I-League: Jindal Group in talks with AIFF to start a club in Bangalore

All India Football Federation’s top official AR Khaleel said the JSW Group of Sajjan Jindal, who was former chairman of the I-League committee, has shown keen interest in starting a professional club which will be Bangalore based.

AR Khaleel confirmed, “We have held talks with the Jindal Group and will welcome them with open arms if they are ready. Corporate teams will get direct entry provided they help in the improvement of infrastructure.”

Bangalore has been shortlisted as one of the six venues, for the U-17 World Cup, if India wins the bid, hence the effort will be to prepare a world class stadium by 2017,” Khaleel said.

The AIFF is in advance stages to induct two new I-League clubs and the bidding process for the same will run from March 30 to May 10 when the successful bidders will be disclosed.

Jindal’s proposal to start a professional club in Bangalore in June, 2011 faced a roadblock after the company’s name was thrown in the Lokayukta report on the supposed corruption charges against former chief minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa.