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I-League: It Is Zee Sports’ Responsibility To Get Sponsors – AIFF President Praful Patel
President speaks…
09-Aug-2010 7:25:00 AM
By Rahul Sengupta
Much has been spoken and written about the AIFF XI side which several clubs have opposed as an entity but Patel explained the reasoning behind it on his visit on Kolkata for the 64th Santosh Trophy finals at the Salt Lake Stadium.
“The whole idea is to create a pool of talented youngsters and provide them proper exposure because they are our future. Let's support these boys instead of reporting on its negative impacts," said Patel.
Money has always been an issue for the AIFF. With BCCI not willing to grant any more money and no fixed sponsor yet for the I-League, the AIFF is in a jinx.
“BCCI issue will be solved. They are having some tax related problems. About the I-League, let us make it clear that we have a contract with Zee Sports. It is the duty of Zee to bring in the sponsors. We had helped them by bringing in ONGC for the last three editions now it is their turn to look for sponsors.”
Patel also inspected the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium which the Indian Football Association, the state football association for West Bengal, has taken on lease for five years. Revealing some of AIFF’s plans with the stadium the AIFF President said, “Firstly, five years lease is too short. We shall speak to the government and increase the lease period. We want to make this stadium one of our international venues as it is very much in the city limits.”
The President is also hopeful about India’s show in the 2011 Asian Cup as he beleives that it shall usher in a new era in Indian football.
“Asian Cup will bring about a new era in Indian Football. This tournament will give us lot of exposure and immense popularity to our team in global stage.”
“The whole idea is to create a pool of talented youngsters and provide them proper exposure because they are our future. Let's support these boys instead of reporting on its negative impacts," said Patel.
Money has always been an issue for the AIFF. With BCCI not willing to grant any more money and no fixed sponsor yet for the I-League, the AIFF is in a jinx.
“BCCI issue will be solved. They are having some tax related problems. About the I-League, let us make it clear that we have a contract with Zee Sports. It is the duty of Zee to bring in the sponsors. We had helped them by bringing in ONGC for the last three editions now it is their turn to look for sponsors.”
Patel also inspected the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium which the Indian Football Association, the state football association for West Bengal, has taken on lease for five years. Revealing some of AIFF’s plans with the stadium the AIFF President said, “Firstly, five years lease is too short. We shall speak to the government and increase the lease period. We want to make this stadium one of our international venues as it is very much in the city limits.”
The President is also hopeful about India’s show in the 2011 Asian Cup as he beleives that it shall usher in a new era in Indian football.
“Asian Cup will bring about a new era in Indian Football. This tournament will give us lot of exposure and immense popularity to our team in global stage.”
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