Gourmangi remains optimistic about AIFF's new league

Indian international Gourmangi Singh remains optimistic about the future of the new tournament promoted by All India Football Federation (AIFF) and IMG-Reliance and is looking forward to the experience of sharing the dressing room with top international footballers.

The defender said the experience of sharing the dressing room with star internationals and playing under European coaches will only benefit Indian footballers.

"Well, I remain optimistic about the league. The experience of sharing the dressing room with top international players and playing under European coaches will only benefit Indian players," said Gourmangi Wednesday after a training session at the IMG-R camp under Trevor Morgan here at the Cooperage.

The Manipuri is one of the 37 players, who have signed up for the league. The former Churchill Brothers defender has risked his I-League career and signed up for the league but hoped that things would be sorted out and I-League clubs will finally release players for the tournament.

"I have been with the I-league for all these years. IMG-R is the official marketing partner they are responsible for the tournament. I hope everything will be sorted out soon and I will be playing in the I-League also. We have to realise that currently Indian football is in a transition phase. The best football is being played in Europe and with we can only improve when we play with them," said Gourmangi, who will be playing for India for the friendly against Tajikistan.

I-League clubs have refused to loan players for the franchise-based tournament to be held from January 18-March 30 across eight cities.

Gourmangi's fellow team mate Nirmal Chettri, who will also play the international friendly, said that every player wants to be a part of the I-League and also play in the new tournament.

"I hope things will get sorted out. Everyone wants to be part of both the leagues and are hoping that players will get a chance to be loaned to the clubs and then come back to play in IMG-R league. I will be very happy to play for 10 months in a year and have a two-month break to be with family and friends," said Chettri.

"I think unless the tournament starts we can't say it's bad. Let it start and people will know what football is," he said.