New Delhi: Similar to last season, the All India Football Federation plans to float a commercial rights tender for the I-League and other national tournaments even though it is yet to officially identify the champions and the two teams to be relegated.
At a virtual executive committee meeting on Thursday evening arranged to discuss a pathway for the 2025-26 I-League, it was decided that this fresh tender will be called once the tender process for the top-flight Indian Super League is put in motion.
The I-League tender process will be launched once the deadline to submit request for quotation to manage and award ISL commercial rights ends on September 14.
“Since the contract handed I-League was only for one season, we don’t have a commercial partner in place for these tournaments now, so it was decided to float a fresh tender to attract bids for monetisation,” an AIFF official told News9 Sports.
“We will have to start afresh for the I-League, so maybe after September 15 we will initiate the process once evaluation of RFQ’s for ISL is complete. Let the ISL process get over first, the I-League clubs also need time to assemble a squad,” another official said.
No timeline has been yet set for bids for I-League, the 18th edition of which for 2024-25 began on November 22, 2024 and stretched till April 6, 2025.
With an eye on a December kick-off, the entire tender process for ISL is planned to be wrapped up by October 15, under the supervision of a seven-member tender committee and a three-member oversight committee that were put in place on September 6.
No such panel has been formed for the I-League yet as the same members are unlikely to be part of it, an official said.
A combined commercial rights for I-League, I-League 2, IWL, IWL2, Santosh Trophy and national championships was sold to Shrachi Sports for Rs 2.5 crore for 2024-25, agreed to be paid in four equal installments of Rs 62.5 lakh.
But after requesting to write off the entire amount on account of losses suffered, Shrachi has recently paid one installment while receiving a legal notice from the AIFF.
Relegation in limbo
Before firming up dates, the AIFF also has to decide on I-League’s relegation as an interim stay order is in place following appeal from Delhi FC and SC
Bengaluru, two teams that finished at the bottom of the standings.
The federation is keen to resolve the matter quickly, with the next hearing date set on September 23 at the appeal committee.
“We have already written to the appeal committee to hasten the process,” the official said.
In response to Inter Kashi’s efforts to seek ratification from the AIFF for being adjudged I-League champions in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, league committee chairperson Lalnghinglova Hmar and AIFF vice president NA Haris were tasked to look into the matter.
“CAS has already declared Kashi as champions. What else would the new committee do,” an AIFF official wondered.
Super Cup issue lingers on
Eight ISL clubs gave unconditional consent for participation in the Super Cup by Thursday, the deadline for informing, while the remaining five have sought clarification over venue, broadcaster, fixtures, slot for continental competition, and number of foreigners permitted on the field.
“By putting conditions before committing, these clubs have prepared a pathway for backout if the AIFF fails to fulfill commitments,” a club official said.
“We will give clarification but how can we decide on the format if clubs don’t commit their presence?,” the official asked.
Goa has emerged as the frontrunner to host the tournament, which is planned to be a 16-team contest with 13 ISL and three I-League clubs.