New Delhi: Sreenidi Deccan wish to withdraw from the second division I-League to compete in the top-most division and have initiated discussions “with the relevant stakeholders in this regard”, they have informed the All India Football Federation.
As their focus is on youth football through their fully operational academy, Sreenidi have also sought permission for their reserve side to be play in I-League 3, after being eligible to compete in it for winning the A division in Telangana.
Through a letter addressed to the AIFF’s league committee on August 22, the Hyderabad-based club have said that they view I-League 3 as a “crucial platform” for their players.
Since their reserve team is primarily composed of players who are still under development, participation in I-League 3 would provide them with “valuable exposure” and competitive minutes at the national level.
It would ensure a clear progression model from their academy boys into the reserve side and eventually into the first team that aligns fully with the AIFF’s long-term objective of expanding the pool of well-trained and match-ready players, the club said.
“At the same time, we wish to convey that our first team is not being considered for participation in the I-League. Consistent with our long-term vision and ongoing strategic planning, we are preparing for our senior squad to compete at the Tier-1 level and are presently engaged in discussions with the relevant stakeholders in this regard,” it was written in the letter signed by Sreenidi’s technical director Fabio Ferreira.
‘Stakeholders who?’
The letter was revealed during an emergent executive committee meeting on Saturday that was called to discuss on the tendering process for the top-flight Indian Super League, as per the Supreme Court’s directive.
Acknowledging the receipt of the letter, an AIFF official said: “We have got our own rules and regulations and we will act according to those.”
Sreenidi are yet to officially speak on the matter but when asked what prompted such drastic step, a top official told New9 Sports, “we don’t know when the I-League will happen, whether it will happen or not.”
It has left a section of AIFF officials wondering how and with whom such talks could be held when a three-member committee, involving retired Supreme Court judge L Nageswara Rao, president Kalyan Chaubey and Asian Football Confederation audit committee member Kesvaran Murugasu, has been formed to oversee that the tender process remains ‘open and transparent’.
“As the letter says, they are in touch with stakeholders. Who are these stakeholders? We need to understand that first,” an AIFF official said.
Founded in 2015 as an academy that was launched in Visakhapatnam, Sreenidi bid for direct entry into the I-League in June 2020 and two months later were granted playing rights for its 2021-22 edition.
They finished ninth in the 2024-25 standings with 28 points from 22 matches.