I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: Mr. Ankur Datta, Vice Chairman, I-League, presided over the I-League and the Federation Cup Committee meeting at the AIFF Headquarters, Football House, at the Capital on Wednesday, February 11.

Besides Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation; Mr. Subrata Dutta, Vice-President, AIFF; Mr. Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, also attended the Meeting, along with representatives from the Hero I-League Clubs.

The committee, after a thread bare discussion was of the view that the Hero I-League match between Kingfisher East Bengal and McDowell Mohun Bagan scheduled to be on 11th February 2015 could not be held due to a force majeure situation. Mr. Ankur Dutta gave a ruling regarding the same, supporting the opinion of the majority of the members present.

The committee unanimously resolved that in accordance to the section 17 (a) of the Hero I-League regulations and due to the force majeure situation prevailing on the match of 11th February 2015, the Kolkata Derby shall be rescheduled to 17th February (7 PM IST).

It is also resolved that on such situations henceforth the decision of rescheduling of matches shall be decided on the following way:

  1. Re-scheduling on alternate date by the I-League Secretariat in consultation with the Home and Away Team
  2. Alternative Venue to be suggested by the Home Team which needs to be approved by the AIFF.
  3. To play an away match with the same team on the same date.
  4. Extension of the Hero I-League from 31st May onwards.

The final fixtures of the Hero I-League were circulated to the Club representatives in the meeting, with the matches ending on May 31.

The Committee also discussed at length about the upcoming U-15 Youth League that will be held for three seasons with the U-17 FIFA World Cup, 2017, in the forefront.

The three seasons of the Youth League would be conducted as per the below mentioned timelines:

  • 1st Season
    • Zonal – Mid April to Mid-May – Goa & Kolkata
    • Final Round – Mid August to Mid-September – Delhi
  • 2nd Season
    • Zonals – Mid-January to Mid-February
    • Final Round – Mid April to Mid-May
  • 3rd Season
    • Zonals – Mid-January to Mid-February
    • Final Round – Mid April to Mid-May

The agendas of the meeting was unanimously agreed upon by the Committee members, and the meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Mr. Ankur Dutta.

“The meeting was successful. All the Clubs were cooperative and it was positive going ahead with the remainder of the Hero I-League,” he said.