"I sympathise with them and hope the sport comes back in

the Olympics, said Patel. Earlier, during his inaugural address to the convention, Patel said the AIFF would allow two clubs backed by Corporate sector in a bid to promote commercialisation of the game. "Commercialisation of the game is the only way forward to raise its profile. So, we are allowing two clubs backed or owned by a Corporate house in the 2013-14 I-League season. But these two clubs will have to give an undertaking that they will invest in infrastructure development and will maintain separate commercial identity. "We will tell them to build stadiums also. They will have to be given some time to do these things and so they will not be relegated for three years. Obviously since they are going to be backed by corporate houses they will have good players and they will do well and not be relegated," he said. The AIFF had faced problems in its bid to professionalise the game in the country as the I-League clubs had taken long time to comply with the AFC Club Licensing criteria, which would allow Indian clubs to feature in the AFC Champions League. Out of the 14 teams competing in the current I-League season two clubs -- Air India and ONGC -- are certain to make an exit from the top division and the two corporate backed sides talked about by Patel are expected to fill in the vacant places. "We have given too much leeway to the clubs and we are going to strictly adhere to the AFC club licensing criteria from next season onwards. Those clubs which do not fulfill the criteria will not be in the I-League next season. "We are going to take decision very soon on the inclusion of the two corporate-backed sides in the I-League next season," said Patel. He also called on the Corporate sector to come forward and start taking interest in the commercialisation of the game. (MORE)