AIFF targets September/October for 2020-21 season resumption

With the uncertainty surrounding the start of the new League season in India football, especially the I-League and Indian Super League, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has stated that it is hopeful of starting the 2020-2021 season either in September or October.

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das revealed that the body is working in line with FIFA in order to get a working protocol to the resumption and also a source for support for club sides who have been hard hit economically since the outbreak of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

While speaking during a virtual meeting, the AIFF general secretary stated that the relevant ministries, especially the ministry of sports have given the guidelines on resuming training and sports, but hopes for a September start to the season, albeit in line with government directives.

“The Indian football season usually starts around September. Hopefully, we can start the season with no spectators or limited spectators (as per directives from the government). We are still a few months away. But I am hopeful that the situation will improve, and we can start the season in either September or October,” stated the administrator on goal.

Meanwhile, he also stated his concerns as regards the preparations for the 2020 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup India, which is now rescheduled for February 2021.

“Unfortunately, our preparation for the U17 World Cup has been affected. There are two new venues, namely Odisha and Ahmedabad. There are travel restrictions as well across the world, which might pose difficulty in bringing our Swedish coach back to India. Hopefully, we can start the camp in September.”

The FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup is India’s second FIFA tournament hosting in three years after the male edition of the U17 World Cup was held in 2017.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu