New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed changing its name to Football Federation of Bharat (FFB). After the idea was accepted during a special general body meeting attended virtually, the desire to change the name will now pass to the Ministry of Sports, which will make the final decision.However, the process is not quick and straightforward. “This proposal (change) will be sent to the sports ministry. It is a process, and the process has started today,” All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey told news agency PTI.
“If the ministry does not agree, or if they have any other opinion, there is no doubt. If the ministry agrees, we will submit it to the general body. Then we will send it to FIFA. This is the second part of this process.“We need several approvals, FIFA approval, ministry approval, but then you have to start somewhere. So this is a start.” FIFA would not be the first to be subject to such a procedure. Türkiye (Turkish Football Federation) is now referred to as Turkiye (Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu) in their official communications. The same applies to the Czech Republic, which is now officially called Czechia, but football’s governing body is still called the Football Association of the Czech Republic.
There is no decision on which model the club will lead
The AIFF also told its general body members that the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) will start on September 4. Additionally, no decision has been made on the club-led model for the Indian Super League.On Friday, the AIFF sent a letter to Genius Sports, the commercial rights holder, informing them of the delay in the final decision. The national body also made it clear that Indian football is set to take a different path in terms of its financial structure. In a different way, the AIFF and I-League clubs reached a consensus last week, after a meeting with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Under the model, set to last for four years, a separate entity will be created to manage the league with the clubs managing it. Meanwhile, AIFF will be responsible for logistics and operations. AIFF will be compensated Rs 16 crore annually in this arrangement. With the AIFF awaiting a response from Genius Sports, the decision is yet to be ratified by the general body.
It is expected to be discussed next week with the I-League Management Committee, which consists of the clubs and three AIFF officials. After not getting time for deliberations at the previous general meeting held in Kolkata in May, the National Sports Administration Act (NSGA) was adopted. After that, some amendments could be made to the AFC Constitution by June 30.Under the NSGA, sports federations, such as the AIFF, have until June 30 to adopt and implement the new constitutional amendments and governance guidelines formally approved by the Sports Ministry. During the SGM, the football calendar was also brought up, with the Indian Super League scheduled to start on September 4 and the Durand Cup around the end of July.