AIFF is setting out to secure a minimum of two new football clubs on board its league in an effort to enhance and promote football as a sport in India and establish an international recognition of its I-league.

The All India Football Federation has announced an open house meeting, to be chaired by its president Praful Patel, to formally invite open tenders and expressions of interest by qualified investors to set up and operate the clubs.

Winning bidders of the tender will be able to set up and operate new football clubs which will be developed to compete in the I-League season 2013 and beyond, a statement from the club said. Once ready to compete on a higher level, these clubs will also have the opportunity to play in the prestigious Asian Football Championship.

The open house meeting hosted by AIFF is meant to serve as a forum for federation to explain its expectations from new football clubs, interact with potential participants, share ideas and invite suggestions from interested parties.

This exchange of dialogue would contribute towards the formulation of a request for proposal (RFP) methodology to be later floated officially for inviting and evaluating bids, the statement said.

The opportunity to set up new football clubs also carries an incentive for investors to invest in youth and develop the infrastructure necessary to create a state-of-the-art environment where youth can be engaged, football teams can be developed and the sport can be promoted.

Formed in 2007, I-League is the highest level of professional football in India. With a growing fan base across the country, I-League aims to take the spot among the top five leagues of Asia within the next 10 years.

“In keeping with AIFF’s mission of promoting Indian football to a larger global audience, this is a vital step we are taking to adopt additional teams and invest in our youth for this beloved sport,” Patel said. “By inviting participation from regional investors and offering them a sound investment opportunity, we are certain that together we will be able to raise the brand value of the I-League, evolving it to become a truly futuristic and versatile tournament.”
 
The open house meeting will be held on April 6 at the Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service