ISL-I-League merger is good in the larger aspect: Mandar Tamhane

Bengaluru: The announcement of the much publicised I-League-ISL ‘merger’ has polarised opinions. The two-year-old franchise-based league is all set to become the premier league in the country while the I-League and I-League Two will take the mantle of League One and League Two respectively in what will be a dramatic overhaul of Indian football from 2018.

While there will be new additions to the ISL, two clubs to be precise, which opens the door for some I-League teams to enter the top tier, there will be many left to toil in the second and third divisions without any hope for promotion to the top tier, at least in the foreseeable future. However, the promise of live coverage and weekend fixtures is definitely a welcome move for the lower rungs.

Speaking of the merger, Bengaluru FC Chief Technical Officer Mandar Tamhane agreed that in the long run, it’s a good plan. “It’s important to look at the larger picture and in the larger aspect it looks good. In a general view, we have players playing in the ISL, I-League and Federation Cup and they are burned out because lots of players who play in the ISL are the ones playing in the I-League also,” said Tamhane to this newspaper.

“There are lots of players who are unemployed also. So having a three-league system happening simultaneously gives more players the chance to play and get better which will only benefit the national team,” he explained.

“A streamlined calendar of three leagues will also help the national team plan their calendar better. At the end of the day, national team is the big picture and this will help there.

“In a holistic view, what is wrong with it? This gives seven months and a cup. It’s not a concrete plan and there will be discussions and definitely they will evolve,” he added.

When asked about Bengaluru FC’s plan going forward, he revealed: “We as a club would like to be part of anything that benefits Indian football. For BFC or our owners, we have to know what the bidding process (is) and other details which are involved. We as a club want to represent the country in the AFC competitions. All new clubs and the teams in ISL will have to fulfill the AFC criteria. Whatever we as a club are doing, in terms of grassroots and in society, I think we are at par or maybe even better in some with the ISL teams. I think our fans deserve this.”