ISL in crisis : After not receiving a single bid for the commercial rights of the Indian Super League (ISL), the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday suspended all football- activities indefinitely. Mohun Bagan said it will review the contracts of players and support staff next month. The AIFF announced late on Friday night that it had not received any bids for the commercial rights of the already delayed ISL, leaving the future of domestic football in limbo. A Mohun Bagan official told PTI that their players will assemble on Monday for the camp starting from Tuesday.
East Bengal executive committee member Debbrat Sarkar said, “We have not suspended our operations yet. I personally believe that the ISL will continue.” I am sure the Union Sports Ministry, AIFF and former officials will definitely not allow this to happen. The government also urged BCCI, the world’s richest cricket board, to take the initiative to help Indian football out of its current crisis. “Personally, I have a request,” he said. “So, my request is that if the BCCI agrees to sponsor Indian football for at least four or five years, it can move forward in a better way.”
Hong Kong suffered an embarrassing exit from the Sixers cricket tournament with three consecutive defeats against India. Australia and Pakistan entered the semi-finals after winning their matches on Saturday. India suffered three defeats in a single day. In the Pool C match against Kuwait, India lost by 27 runs and finished third in the group. Kuwait topped the group, while Pakistan finished second. Chasing a target of 107, India were bowled out for 79 for six.
