JSW, two others bid for new I-League clubs

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has received three bids from steel major Jindal South West (JSW), a consortium from Kerala and Mumbai Tigers for new I-League Clubs from the 2013-14 season.

The three groups submitted their documents at the Football House here Wednesday, which was the deadline. The bids will now be examined by the Bid Evaluation Committee that will meet here May 21.

JSW, which is headed by former I-league chairman Sajjan Jindal, will be based out of Bangalore, Mumbai Tigers from Mumbai and the consortium from Kerala will have their base in Kochi. Mumbai Tigers currently plays in the second division I-League and is owned by the Dubai-based Dodsal Group.

The consortium from Kerala runs another second division I-League club Eagles FC, which is based in Kochi. The club's director Shaffi Mather is also the chief economic advisor to the chief minister.

The club was launched in 1956 and has among its members well-known political figures like A.K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The club has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with English club Reading

Sunando Dhar, chief executive of I-League, said the introduction of three new clubs would usher in a new phase as far as infrastructure and youth development are concerned.

"The reason to induct new corporate teams into I-League was not only to spread the I-League to new venues but also to address the infrastructure and Youth Development issues plaguing Indian Football. We are confident that we would be able to handle these issues through the new Teams," he said.

"Right from Day One when we conducted the Open House Meeting at Football House, we were confident of receiving a positive response. We thank all for their support and cooperation," Dhar added.