All India Football Federation (AIFF) hopes I-League ties won't be affected at Salt Lake

Even as Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium is slated to conduct the opening ceremony of Indian Premier League, the AIFF is still hopeful of having the I-League matches as scheduled.

Kushal Das, general secretary of All India Football Federation (AIFF), said, “We are yet to receive any communication from the concerned people. We are hopeful that the I-League matches will be held as per schedule.”

Kolkata Knight Riders will face Delhi Daredevils in the first match of IPL at Eden Gardens on April 3. But, to protect the stadium from the entertainers, the inauguration has been scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium on April 2.

“Why should entertainment take over sports, that too football in the Mecca of Indian football?” Das asked. “We only pray that the concerned people consider and allow us to conduct the I-League matches,” said Das.

I-League action in Kolkata resumes on March 20. Six matches are likely to be affected if the IPL inaugural ceremony is held at the Salt Lake Stadium as the organisers would block the stadium from March 20.

However, the final decision rests with the state government, owners of Salt Lake Stadium.
Going by what Madan Mitra, sports minister of West Bengal, said, there is some hope. He said he was not aware of any such request to use the stadium for the IPL opening ceremony.

@joepune