The postponement of the inaugural Super League by promoters IMG-Reliance have left the Indian footballers in the lurch. A few of them still might find their way into the I-League while the others will have to fend for themselves.
I-League CEO Sunando Dhar has thrown a lifeline to some of these players promising to absorb them in the national Pro-league.
IMG-R, the marketing arm of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and the I-League clubs have been on a collision course right from the day the idea of Super League was floated over the release of Indian players for the IPL-style pop show.
There appeared signs of a breakthrough with United SC and Mohammedan Sporting striking a deal with the Super League organisers for a give-and-take of players.
United have agreed to release eight of their top players while Mohameddan Sporting will get five IMG-Reliance players, including their former star and India defender Syed Rahim Nabi.
The I-League CEO hoped more players would be absorbed by the I-League clubs.
"The good and talented players should have no problem in walking into the I-League clubs," Dhar told IANS.
"The good players will definitely be grabbed by the clubs, the problem is with the fringe players," he said.
This is the second time the highly touted league has been postponed. It was to start in January 2013, but was postponed for a year and now again it has been deferred by another nine months.
Dhar feels these are only teething problems and it would be good for the league to sort out all the issues before the kick-off.
"When a tournament of this magnitude is planned, there are always teething problems, it's good that these issues have cropped up now, before the start of the event," said Dhar.
Dhar though gives a positive twist to the postponement of the league, saying the organisers and the clubs will now have a chance to iron out the issues.
"The postponement could be a blessing in disguise. I-League clubs and IMG-R can sort out the issues. Hopefully we can see more I-League players when the tournament kicks off in September," Dhar added.
