ISL, I-League clubs refuse participation in Indian Women’s League

The Indian Super League and I-League teams’ refusal to take part in the forthcoming Indian Women’s League has left the All lndia Football Federation in a spot of bother.

The ISL and I-League teams have refused to compete in the 2nd Indian Women’s League, leaving All India Football Federation (AIFF) in the lurch.

Eastern Sporting Union had won the inaugural edition of the Indian Women’s League in 2017. (AIFF)

The Indian Super League and I-League teams’ refusal to take part in the forthcoming women’s league has left the AlFF in a spot of bother.

The apex body claimed the franchises had earlier promised participation in the IWL.

When contacted AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told PTI, “It’s extremely disappointing that despite assurances, we haven’t got any entry from either any ISL or I-League club.

”Hopefully, they will understand the importance of women’s football and rethink about their participation in the sole (national) women’s league in the country,” he added.

The format of the IWL grants a direct entry to ISL & I-League clubs in the final round of the IWL but so far none have confirmed their participation. However cost is a major factor which might have prevented all these major Indian clubs to have an exclusive women’s football team.

Das further informed that ‘AIFF is contemplating participation in the IWL as part of the AIFF Licensing criteria’ for teams to take up women’s football on a more serious note.

The inaugural edition of the Indian Women’s League had kicked off in January 2017 in New Delhi where eight teams including one ISL team - FC Pune City.

Manipur’s Eastern Sporting Union had won the inaugural edition of IWL.