The uncertainty over the future of the I-League, which is said to be in the process of merging with the cash-rich Indian Super League (ISL) from as early as the 2017-18 season, has made it difficult for the newer clubs in Indian football to motivate their players, according to Minerva Punjab owner Ranjit Bajaj.
"It is very difficult to motivate your team if there's doubt over your future," Bajaj told ESPN. "If the I-League becomes the second division, then that is effectively a relegation, even though we might not finish in the lower half of the table. That is unfair on the team."
Bajaj's comments come in the wake of media reports that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and their marketing and commercial partners IMG-Reilance are keen on expanding the ISL to a league of 11 or even 12 teams, to be played over a longer period of five months from the 2017-18 season.
ESPN understands that this is in keeping with the plans of restructuring Indian football into a multiple-tier structure. There were rumours of the effective merger of the two leagues, which was endorsed by the Asian Football Confederation as well as the national team captain Sunil Chhetri, being put on hold till after the 2017-18 season, possibly because of the organisation of the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in October.
However, the possibility of the merger going ahead may have accelerated, especially with reports in Kolkata media that traditional clubs East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and reigning I-League champions Bengaluru FC might all feature in the upcoming ISL, which could begin as late as November.
Incidentally, AIFF president Praful Patel had indicated in January that the merger may not happen in 2017 itself.
"I have my doubts and frankly, I don't see any merger happening at least this year," he told The Hindu during a press conference around the Indian Women's League.
"Also, I don't see any reason for a conflict and I cannot understand why it is being touted as 'I-League merging with ISL'? Why can we not say that the ISL might merge with the I-League? The name is not important. I-League is I-League, you have to have a national league and we have one."
IMG-Reliance officials, who ESPN approached, refused to comment on the possibility of seeing a restructured Indian football season this year, while a senior AIFF official said, "It is too early to comment, as the merger is still a work in progress."
Some club officials have said that they are happy to be part of a restructured system, but provided there is a provision for promotion or relegation, or some time frame promised to initiate the same.
Another club official felt the AIFF might refrain from making the ISL the top division following the success of clubs like Aizawl FC and Shillong Lajong in the ongoing I-League season.
He said that the AIFF and IMG-Reliance were expected to make an announcement confirming the status of the league mergers by March, but might now wait till the conclusion of the I-League in late April.