Photo Credits: I League
"My team is in the I League and as long as there is the I League my team will play,”
Dominic Sutnga Tariang, MD of Royal Wahingdoh FC
Augusto Rodrigues
PANAJI
“Royal Wahingdoh Football Club has never considered moving out of the I league. If anything, we were waiting to hear if the I league is going to be held this year. Our team is playing in the local league now, we have our players in the ISL and our grass roots programme is on,” Dominic Sutnga Tariang Managing Director of Royal Wahingdoh FC told The Goan in an exclusive interview.
“ I could not attend last week’s meeting called by Praful Patel in Mumbai as I was in South Africa for business,” added Dominic.“I am waiting to hear whether the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is going to host the next I League as there are unconfirmed reports that two clubs from Pune are pulling out. If the I League is held we are there. The thought of quitting the I league never crossed our mind,” stated Dominic emphasising the cultural impact football has on the people in the North East.
“In fact we have been told that some of the I League clubs in Goa are thinking of packing shop. Is that true? At least, this is the news being circulated out here just the way you are hearing that we are closing down.” said Dominic, while assuaging feelings of a shut down from the I League.
“We are far away from Delhi so it is very difficult for me to comment on what is happening In New Delhi . My club has been in the I league for just one year and I do not know anything about the agreements between IMG Reliance and AIFF. My team is in the I league and as long as there is the I league my team will play,” stated Dominic persuasively.
Dominic’s statement assumes credence after certain rumours, that later culminated into reports, created an impression that the I League may be obliterated from India’s soccer calendar or suffer a jolt with the withdrawal of some clubs. “ If anything , the Indian Super League (ISL) may merge with the I league and not the other way round. The I League is the gateway for Indian teams to participate in Asian Football Confederation (AFC ) and FIFA tournaments like the Club championship,” stated a source close to All India Football Federation (AIFF).
"We have no information about any club wanting to withdraw. Even if clubs withdraw we will go ahead. The AIFF cannot cancel the I League. We need the permission of AFC and FIFA." stated I League CEO Sunando Dhar to The Goan.
"There maybe no written commitments from the clubs to the I League about withdrawing. There is no time frame for a team to withdraw. But, we will be going ahead and having the I League fixtures ready by November," disclosed Sunando Dhar.
