New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) wants to change its name to Football Federation of Bharat (FFB). After the decision was approved at the Special Regional General Meeting (SGM), the desire to change the name will now go to the Sports Ministry, which will take the final call.However, the process is far from quick and straightforward. “This proposal (for change) will be sent to the sports ministry. It is a process, and the process started today,” AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey told news agency PTI. “If the ministry does not agree, or if they have other ideas, then there is no question. If the ministry agrees, then we will bring it to the main body. Then, we will send it (to FIFA) That is the second part of the process.“We need a number of approvals, FIFA approval, ministerial approval, but then you have to start somewhere. So that’s the beginning.” AIFF will not be the first to do this. Turkey (Turkish Football Federation) is now called Turkiye (Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu) in their official name. The same is the case with the Czech Republic, which is now called Czechia, but the football governing body is still called the Football Association of the Czech Republic.
There is no choice for a club-led version
The AIFF also informed all its members that the Indian Super League (ISL) will start on September 4. Furthermore, no decision has been taken on the format of the ISL team.On Friday, the AIFF wrote to commercial rights promoter Genius Sports and informed them of the delay in the final decision. The national body also explained that Indian football needs to take a different approach in terms of its finances. In another move, the AIFF and ISL clubs reached an agreement last week, after a meeting with sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Under the model, which is supposed to last for four years, a special committee will be created to manage the cooperation with the leading clubs. The AIFF, meanwhile, will be responsible for managing transport and operations. AIFF will be paid Rs 16 crore annually for this arrangement. While the AIFF is awaiting a response from Genius Sports, the proposal has not been approved by the executive body. The matter is expected to be discussed next week by the ISL management committee, which consists of the clubs and the three AIFF officials. After failing to get the necessary time for discussions in the previous SGM held in Kolkata in May, the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA) was enacted. After that, several changes can be made to the AIFF Constitution by June 30.Under the NSGA, sports federations, such as the AIFF, have until June 30 to accept and implement the new rules and regulations mandated by the sports ministry. At the SGM, the football calendar was reset, and the ISL was scheduled to begin on September 4 with the Durand Cup at the end of July.
