The 10th Hero I-League that KICKS OFF on January 7, 2017 may well be the last edition if the AIFF goes ahead with its proposed merger of the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise clubs and the I-League.
The launch of the Indian Professional League (I-League) on November 24,2007 was intended to give Indian football a much-needed boost. In the last week of February 2008, the second division of the I-League, commenced. However, the aspirations were not fulfilled. Within a decade, the I-League has lost glamour mainly because it gets step-motherly treatment in terms of marketing and promotion from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its marketing partners, IMG-Reliance. The 10th Hero I-League that kicks off on January 7, 2017 may well be the last edition if the AIFF goes ahead with its proposed merger of the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise clubs and the I-League.
I VIVIDLY EXPERIENCED the absence of proper marketing of the I-League during my several stints as a commentator to various cities. In January 2015, when we went to Goa for commentary, it was noticeable that there were only banners and posters featuring the ISL even when it had got over In December 2014. Except for the print media there was no promotion of the I-League. The 36th Hero Federation Cup held in two venues in Goa in December 2014 and January 2015 received negligible promotion. Even uplinking facilities for telecast of matches were not completed. The first three matches in which I did commentary at the Tilak Maidaan Vasco and the Nehru Stadium, Margao were not shown live on Ten Sports as there were no uplinking facilities.
This story is from the January 7, 2017 edition of Sportstar.
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This story is from the January 7, 2017 edition of Sportstar.
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