07 January 2025 GMT: 22:28

Indians look to Dubai for franchise investors in I-League

i-league

By Mark Baber
April 3 – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is looking for investors interested in setting up new franchise clubs on the sub-continent to promote football as a sport in India and establish an international recognition for its I-league. 

An “open house meeting” will be chaired by AIFF president Praful Patel to formally invite open tenders and expressions of interest by qualified investors to set up and operate the clubs.

According to media reports winning bidders will be able to set up and operate new football clubs which will be developed to compete in the I-League.

The I-League has a strategic plan to join the top five leagues of Asia within the next 10 years.

Patel said, “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. 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.”

Benfica FC from Portugal and Queens Park Rangers (QPR) from England have been mooted as possibly interested in setting up franchise clubs in India.

The open house meeting will now be held on April 6 at the Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai after having been earlier postponed, officially due to the president’s busy schedule.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736288759labto1736288759ofdlr1736288759owedi1736288759sni@r1736288759ebab.1736288759kram1736288759


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