If things go as per the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) plans, then Mumbai’s ONGC may well be a New Delhi-based club next season.
If things go as per the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) plans, then Mumbai’s ONGC may well be a New Delhi-based club next season.
ONGC, and United Sikkim FC (co-owned by Baichung Bhutia), were promoted to the top flight after their exploits in the I-League second division. However, since Mumbai is already represented by two clubs (Mumbai FC, Air India) in the I-League, the AIFF feels it would be sensible if ONGC were to shift base to the Capital.
“By doing so, we will have a new venue. The I-League is restricted to very few cities in India and there is no representation from Delhi. Since the ONGC is headquartered in New Delhi, we thought it would be a good idea to bring them here. Our aim is to make the league pan-India,” I-League CEO Sunando Dhar told DNA on Wednesday.
Last season, the AIFF-fielded Arrows were based in New Delhi. However, the team has shifted base to Kolkata.
Dhar informed that the AIFF will have to hold discussions with the Western India Football Association (WIFA). After all, ONGC are affiliated to the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) which, in turn, comes under WIFA’s jurisdiction.
To make New Delhi their new ‘home’, ONGC will either have to get affiliated to the Delhi District Football Association (DDFA) or obtain a special permission from the AIFF to let them play their ‘home’ matches in the Capital.
The AIFF’s move has come as a surprise. The apex body has been strict with clubs which have not privatised themselves. ONGC haven’t yet adhered to the AFC’s diktat and the AIFF has said that clubs which continue to remain public entities won’t be allowed to be part of the league. Dhar said the issue had to be discussed with WIFA.
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