New Delhi: Some of the star Indian footballers, including former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, are likely to feature in All India Football Federation's (AIFF) franchise-based tournament planned by its marketing partner IMG-Reliance in the 2013-14 season.
IMG-Reliance have already approached nine players, including Bhutia, and they have shown their interest in playing in the eight-team tournament which will be held from January 14-March 13 next year.
"IMG-Reliance have approached nine star players and they have agreed to play in the tournament. Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chettri are some of the prominent names, who have shown their interest to play," an AIFF official told IANS Tuesday. Indian defender Syed Rahim Nabi and star goalkeeper Subrata Paul have also been approached.
But AIFF is yet to decide on the players' transfer and club registration rules and may have to ring in some changes in its constitution for the tournament. "We have asked IMG-Reliance to come up with a detailed plan for the tournament. We may have to bring some changes in our constitution to make way for the tournament. It will be an eight-team tournament and we are trying to give it a pan-India touch," the official said....
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09:17 PM, May 21, 2013
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