I-League

infobox football league

pixels = 160
country = flagicon|IND India
confed = AFC
founded = 2007
first = 2007-08
teams = 12 (expanding to 14 in 2009-10)
relegation = I-League II
levels = 2
domest_cup = Federation Cup (India)
Durand Cup
confed_cup = AFC Champions League
AFC Cup
champions = Dempo
season = 2007-08
most successful club = Dempo
website = [http://www.indianfootball.com/specials/ileague/index.php I-League]
current = I-League 2008-09

The Indian I-League, is the most prominent football league in India started by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It will replace the old National Football League which lasted for 11 seasons. The 2007-08 season will be the first for the I-League. The league was setup mainly to develop the standard of Indian Football. The first game was played on the 24th November 2007 and it was contested between Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Sports Club, Dempo won the game 3-0.

History

Following the decline of the NFL, the AIFF decided to relaunch the national league for the 2007-08 season. The league was renamed the I-League and consists of eight teams from the NFL plus two promoted teams from the former division two. The first ever I-league will be sponsored by ONGC, who were also the previous sponsors of the now defunct NFL. For the first time, clubs in the I-league will be allowed to register four foreigners, though teams will only be allowed to field three during a match. All matches will be telecast live and exclusive on Zee Sports.

Additional incentives have also been provided for Clubs participating in the I-League: 1. Subsidy of Rs. 250,000 for fielding a team in the U19 I-League and a subsidy of Rs. 250,000 for appointing administrative staff. 2. To promote greater attendances and improve the revenues of the Clubs, after deducting the stadium hire charges, 90% of the gate collection will go to the host club. The club will be responsible for the selling of tickets. 3. The club will be given two perimeter boards, six fence level boards and six boards at the first tier level at their home games. 4. Prize Money for Winners has been increased from Rs. 4 Million to Rs. 5 Million, while the Runners-up would get Rs. 2,8 Million, Rs 600,000 more than earlier. 5. The winners of each match will get Rs. 35,000, an increase of Rs 5,000.

The first match was played in Margao, Goa on November 24 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda between rivals Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Sports Club.

2007-08 season

The first game was played on the 24th November 2007 between Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Sports Club. The introduction of the I-league seeks to change the way Indian clubs approach football. All club were required to have at least 14 professionals on their books and the introduction of a U/19 development team.

After an exciting 18 rounds, Dempo Sports Club won the champion on goal different with Churchill finishing runners-up. Viva Kerala and Salgaocar Sports Club were both relegated and will play next season in the second division.

Following a AFC review of the I League's progress, the champions of the I-League had been awarded a spot in the prestigious AFC Champions League club championships in 2009.

2008-09 season

After a successful first season for the I League, the second season will feature 12 teams from four different cities. The champions of the I-League will qualify for the AFC Champions League while the runners-up qualify for the AFC Cup club championships in 2010. The bottom two teams will be relegated to I-League 2nd Division in the next season.

The I-League 2008-2009 season will begin on September 26, 2008 and go until April 15, 2009 with a break in December for the Federation Cup and Durand Cup. Most games this season will be played on Saturday's and Sunday's to attract a larger crowd.

As far as the prize money is concerned the winner walks away with Rs 5 Million while the runners-up would get Rs 2,8 Million. The third-placed team will be given Rs 2 Million and for the first time the team finishing 4th will also be given Rs 1 Million. The team winning the Fair Play award will be given Rs 100,000. Among the individual prizes there is Rs 50,000 for Best Striker, Rs 25,000 for the best Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder and Forward while the Best Player will also be given Rs 25,000. The Man of the Match award of every match will take away Rs 5,000. [http://www.indianfootball.com/index1.html ]

2009-10 season

It is expected that the league will expand to 14 clubs.

Clubs and stadia

I-League 1st Division for the 2008-09 season

Four clubs were promoted to I League from League 2 for the 2008/2009 season. They are Mohammedan Sporting Club, Chirag United Sports Club, Vasco Sports Club, and Mumbai Football Club.

Normal Clubs

Awards

Coach of the Year

(SARahim Trophy)

Defender of the Year

Highest Goal Scorer

Media and broadcasting

Zee Sports and TEN Sports are the media partners of the I-League for the 2007-08 season. Zee Sports signed a $70 Million deal for domestic rights for 10 years. The deal is set to be renewed for 10 more years.

External links

* [http://www.kolkatafootball.com Kolkata Football]
* [http://www.the-aiff.com the-aiff.com] - Official website of the All India Football Federation
* [http://www.indianfootball.com] - India's Premier Football Site
* [http://www.indianfootball.com/specials/ileague/index.php] - I-League - The Home of India's Premier League
* [http://www.goal.com/en-india/sezione.aspx?IdSezione=136] - Goal.com India