Club Licensing Committee – First Instance Body met at AIFF Football House, Dwarka where all the licensing applications were vividly discussed upon and the the committee gave their verdict. The committee was chaired by Dr. Girija Shankar Mungali who was accompanied by Shekhar Nagar and Sunando Dhar. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran and Jeet Parikh could not be present in the meeting due to unavoidable circumstances.
Champions Mohun Bagan AC, Runners up Bengaluru FC, East Bengal Club, Sporting Clube de Goa and Salgaocar FC were successful to get AFC and National Licenses to compete in AFC club competitions and the Hero I-League 2015-16.
Pune FC and Bharat FC failed to fulfil the financial and personal criterions according to the AFC as well as national regulations. Mumbai FC, Shillong Lajong FC and Royal Wahingdoh FC also failed to comply with AFC criterion as their home stadium doesn’t adhere to the AFC credentials, however, these clubs were granted National Licenses to compete in the Hero I-League 2015-16.
Aizawl FC, the entrant who qualified to play in the Hero I-League 2015-16 having triumphed the Second Division League 2014-15, failed to satisfy the infrastructural and financial criteria primarily. However, the committee were extremely pleased with the sincere effort that Aizawl FC have put throughout and they unanimously decided to grant the Mizoram club an one time exemption.
Shekhar Nagar, who is a qualified lawyer, rightly points out that the whole process is going to strengthen Indian football in future, “Criteria would only invite superior quality. The rules and guidelines would bring more professionalism and inevitably it would add more value to Indian football.”
Dr. Girija Shankar Mungali, Chairman, Club Licensing Committee – First Instance Body, categorically supports the whole process, “The process is extremely worthwhile and rigorous. It will only help to streamline Indian football in every possible perspective.”
(Report & Photo courtesy I-League Media)
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