ISL has brought about a lot of interest in Indian football: AIFF

Praful Patel (L) is mighty pleased with the response that the ISL has received

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel has expressed huge satisfaction at the response the Indian Super League (ISL) has received up to this point, adding that the tournament has brought a lot of enthusiasm for football in the country.

"It's been a few weeks into the ISL and it's an ambitious and enlightened endeavour on behalf of the AIFF to bring football to the masses and enhance its popularity and bring more responses to the game," said Patel, while unveiling FC Goa's magazine in Margao.

"There is a lot of interest in Indian football because of the ISL, because of the international players and coaches. In Goa you have seen how Zico and (Robert) Pires have brought in a lot of interest and enthusiasm from fans. The teams have been putting in a lot effort into the matches."

I-League still the main league of the country

Although the launch of the ISL has brought a new vigour to Indian football, Patel insisted that it is the I-League which will continue being the main tournament in India.

"As you know we have the I-league which is the principal league in the country. We have been working over the years to upgrade and professionalize the league, bring it on par with other leagues and boost the popularity of football in the country.

"After a lot of deliberation we thought that a shorter format of the game coupled with entertainment and glamour would be a boost for the game and eventually help in raising the popularity of football in the long run. It took two years for us to convince FIFA about this. It's a great opportunity for us to host a tournament such as the ISL. This is the reason why the entire global footballing community is looking at ISL closely. My only request to viewers is to be patient.

“It's a new experiment and we need to ensure that Indian football grows," the AIFF chief said. "But let's not lose focus from the I-League. Like I've said before, it's the backbone of Indian football. Only teams that participate in the I-League will be able to move up the ladder in terms of AFC Championships and so on. ISL teams do not have that chance. But the I-league needs to be strengthened."

Patel was also receptive to FC Goa coach and Brazil legend Zico’s suggestion that more Indian players should feature in the playing XI of ISL teams.

"The suggestion is good. But I must tell you that I-League allows 4 players on field. We must look at the I-League as our product, not the ISL. We are focused on the growth of Indian football and that's why we appreciate the efforts of the ISL and club owners who are doing so much to popularize football," he remarked.

AIFF to bid for more FIFA tournaments

He added that the AIFF is planning to bid for more FIFA tournaments in the coming future with a view to ensuring that India football continues going forward. India are scheduled to host the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

"We have got the World Cup under-17 in 2017 which is the first FIFA tournament to come to India. We are also bidding for the Club World Championships in 2017 and 2018. If we win the bid, only the I-League clubs can play as the Indian entry. We will also get the World Cup under-20 in the next five years," he said.