East Bengal is demanding a bigger booty for National Football League winners.
The champion club raised the issue after the All-India Football Federation sought suggestions from various clubs on improving the NFL.
"We will make a formal request to AIFF to increase the prize-money at the scheduled meeting before the start of the league," an East Bengal official told rediff.com.
Besides, the club is also demanding hikes in appearance money and the victory per-match money.
AIFF last year gave away prize-money to seven top first division teams, with the winner taking home a cheque of Rs.100,000 and the runners-up Rs.40,000.
The appearance money paid to each of the 12 teams was Rs.100,000. The incentive for winning each match was Rs.20,000.
Interestingly, however, the club hasn't demanded an increase in the daily allowance for players playing in away matches or the man of the match awards.
The East Bengal official claimed that he has the support of other clubs like Vasco and Churchill Brothers.
Though the AIFF hasn't yet reacted to East Bengal's demand, it says it is already doing its bit to improve the conditions of footballers.
Footballers, coaches and referees participating in the NFL are covered under a novel insurance scheme. The scheme offers to reimbursed up to Rs.50,000 in case of hospitalisation. The AIFF pays the premium for the enmasse insurance cover.
