The All India Football Federation’s League Committee recently held a significant meeting on Friday, August 11, 2023, utilizing video conferencing technology. Chaired by Mr Lalnghinglova Hmar, the meeting included esteemed individuals such as Deputy Chairperson Mr Santanu Pujari and Committee Members Mr Amit Chaudhuri, Dr Kiran Chowgule, Mr Arif Ali, Mr Caitanno Jose Fernandes, Mr KI Nizamuddin, Dr Reginold Varghese, and Mr Anirban Dutta. Key figures like AIFF Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran and Deputy Secretary General Mr Satyanarayan were also present to contribute their expertise.
The New Format of I-League 2023-24
The I-League 2023-24 season will witness a total of 13 participating clubs, subject to completion of the Club Licensing process. The matches will employ a home-and-away double round-robin format, resulting in a thrilling 156 matches throughout the season. Each club will have the opportunity to play 24 matches, showcasing their skills and strategies on the field. The club that finishes at the top of the table by the end of the league will be declared the I-League 2023-24 champions and will have the chance to be promoted to the prestigious Indian Super League 2024-25, provided they fulfill the necessary Club Licensing criteria.
It's important to note that Punjab FC, the champions of the previous season, have already secured promotion to the Indian Super League. Meanwhile, Mumbai Kenkre FC and Sudeva Delhi FC, the two teams relegated from the 2022-23 I-League season, have been replaced by Delhi FC and Shillong Lajong FC, the top two teams from the 2022-23 Second Division League. Additionally, Inter Kashi and Namdhari FC have been granted admission to the I-League as corporate entries, adding further excitement and diversity to the competition.
A Properly-Tiered League Structure
Under the leadership of Mr Hmar, the committee expressed their satisfaction with the reformed league structure. Previously, there was no coherent tiered system in place, but now, the ISL, I-League, Second Division, and Third Division are all interconnected, creating a robust and well-defined league structure. This development aims to provide a clear pathway for clubs to progress from lower divisions to higher levels, facilitating their growth and contributing to the overall improvement of Indian football.
Foreign Player Regulations
In an effort to enhance the quality and competitiveness of the league, the committee has unequivocally stated that clubs can register up to five foreign players in their squads for the I-League 2023-24 season. However, only a maximum of three foreign players will be permitted to be on the pitch at any given time. This decision aims to strike a balance between promoting international talent and providing opportunities for local players to shine. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the previous AFC player quota requirements will no longer be applicable.
Introduction of the 3rd Division League
In a bid to further strengthen the league structure, the AIFF League Committee introduced the newly-formed 3rd Division League. To ensure a widespread representation and participation, nine state FAs met the necessary criteria to nominate teams for this league. These states include Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The inclusion of these teams will undoubtedly contribute to the development of grassroots football and create more opportunities for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills on a larger stage.