Inter-institutional league a shot in arm for Indian players

The All India Football Federation has recently taken decisions that could have far-reaching consequences for the game in the country.  After much deliberation they have decided to start an all-India interinstitutional league, in which only Indian players can be fielded. The other major decision is that academies all over India can now register three foreign players each for the national U-13 and U-15 leagues to be started soon. Both decisions have evoked a lot of comment.

The significant aspect of the institutional league is that participants will have to bear all expenses themselves. The AIFF will only provide the match supervisors and state associations will organise games at various stadiums. The cost of hiring stadiums and travel expenses will have to be borne by the various institutions.

The advantage of this rule is that it can revive teams like Air India, ONGC, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, Punjab State Electricity Board, Indian Bank, Food Corporation of India, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Army XI and the Railways. These teams can take younger players on contract or those cannot make it to the professional teams in the Indian Super League or I-League or later, the one unified league. Some players may even get employment as in the past, which will be an incentive for many in the lower middle class to stick to football. 

It is learnt that some ISL franchises will even field their younger players, who do not get a chance in the main team in this competition. The big advantage of this new league is that it will provide an outlet for Indian players to showcase their skills. It is yet to be decided if it will be held on a nationwide basis, or initially regionally. Other logistics such as availability of stadiums and referees have to be worked out.

However, the decision to allow academies to field three foreign players has led to much resistance from several quarters. The main opposition has come from Minerva Punjab FC, Shillong Lajong, Aizawl FC and DSK Shivajians, teams which recently have done yeoman service in developing talent from their respective academies. 

In the 10th Hero I-League these three clubs fielded mainly players developed from their academies. In the current India U-19 team, players like goalkeeper Vishal Kaith(Shillong Lajong), left back Jerry Lalrinzuala (DSK Shivajians), Lalruatharra (Aizawl FC), midfielder Germanpreet Singh (Minerva Punjab) and Alan Deory (Shillong Lajong) to name a few are all products of theses functional academies.

Ranjit Bajaj, the owner of Minerva Punjab FC feels that the purpose of these academies is to develop talent for Indian football and not scout for foreign players to excel in the all-India U-13 and U-15 leagues. However the AIFF feels that in some academies in metropolitan cities, children of foreigners are playing and it would help Indians to develop by competing against them.

The larger game plan is also that children of Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin, settled abroad can also start sending their children to these academies so that they can later play for the senior national team.