By Mark Baber
August 6 – With the All India Football Federation (AIFF) progressing its plans to set up the India Premier League (IPL)-style football league, the project has received a shot in the arm with Bollywood mega-star Shahrukh Khan (pictured) saying he has put off plans to buy an I-League club in favour of waiting to buy one of the new franchises.
Shahrukh Khan, who co-owns IPL cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, asked by an audience member on an NDTV talk show about whether he had ambitions to buy a football team, replied: “Yes you are right. I was taking a football club. I spoke to Dempo people and friends and they were very kind.
“But now I’ve heard that a league system is coming. Some of this is going to change the whole structuring. So I should wait until the league system comes – and as soon as it comes, I will be the first guy who will go back there and buy a football club.
“And you have to buy a Kolkata football club. If they allow me to…”
Shahrukh Khan appears to be backing the IMG-Reliance IPL-style football tournament and he will be picking up the Kolkata franchise to go with his cricket franchise.
There is growing concern among the I-League clubs about the influence of AIFF’s proposed new league, due to take place next year between January 18 and March 30, and the effect it will have on the existing clubs and league structure.
Just two days ago, Shrinivas Dempo said: “As president of Dempo Sports Club and the Goa Football Association (GFA), I am all for the improvement and promotion of football in the country. But to me, what is important is that we need to get our priorities right.
“Right now, I understand the angst of the I-League clubs as there is no clarity on the status of the I-League and proposed IMG-R league. The AIFF should come clean on which league is their priority.”
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