On 5th June the All India Football Federation(AIFF) invited bids for new clubs in I-League. This happened after Mohun Bagan from I-League merged with ISL club ATK. This vacated a spot in the league for new clubs to enter. Since then a number of clubs have expressed their interest to play in the league.
The I-league, one of the premier football leagues in the country has been a breeding ground for football talents nationwide. Even in ISL most of the Indian footballers are those who have proved their mettle in the past in I-League. Although, a second-tier now, the league still holds its importance for new players and clubs to emerge and increase the talent pool of Indian Football.
Let us now take a look at the clubs which have shown their interest to pick up the bid papers and play in the 2020-21 season of the I-League:
#1 Sudeva F.C.
Started by two young entrepreneurs Mr. Anuj Gupta and Mr. Vijay Hakari in 2014, this club has its roots in Delhi. In 2016-17 the club debuted in the I-League 2nd Division. Two of their footballers were a part of the national team camp for the U-17 world cup. Their U-16 team was the champion of I-league U-16 Delhi Zone(A). The team remained undefeated throughout the campaign. Their U-13 and U-18 teams were the only ones to qualify for National rounds of the youth I-league from Delhi Zone. In 2018 the club acquired a majority stake in the Spanish 3rd Division club Olimpic De Xativa. The club regularly sends its budding talents for trials at the Spanish club. Thus, in a short span of time this club has achieved a lot and also done exceptionally well for developing the game in the country. They were the first club to express their interest in participating in I-league when the news of MB and ATK merger had just popped up. In case the club succeeds in winning the bid it will be a great addition to the league. The club can surely do wonders and be an important part of the Indian football ecosystem. It will also be a boost for Delhi since the national capital will have a representation in the national league.