The All India Football Federation on Thursday said the I-League clubs have agreed to the concurrent running of two leagues this season, a development which will set to rest the uncertainty prevalent in the domestic circuit at least for this year.
The development came after Asian Football Confederation gave official recognition to the cash-rich Indian Super League on Wednesday by granting the next ISL champion an AFC Cup play- off slot.
The winner of the I-league will still participate in the AFC Champions League qualifiers. The two leagues -- the I-League and ISL -- will run concurrently this season.
"Representatives of the I-League clubs met with AIFF officials to discuss the way forward for the I-League for the 2017-18 season till the roadmap for Indian football in the medium and long term is finalised with assistance and guidance from the AFC," the AIFF said in a statement.
"The clubs agreed to the concurrent running of ISL and I-League for 2017-18 but stated that the I-League must be broadcast on Star Sports platform with good quality production and proper marketing and promotion and scheduling of matches. They also recommended that a task force with the I-League clubs be set up to review the I-League on a regular basis," it added.
"They also stated that the travel subsidy needs to be increased and that AIFF should also allocate a budget for the promotion of the I-League for 2017-18
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