AIFF Proposes Name Change to Football Federation of Bharat

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has proposed changing its name to the Football Federation of Bharat (FFB).

After the idea was accepted during the virtually-attended Special General Body Meeting (SGM), the desire to change the name will now go to the Sports Ministry, which will take the final call. However, the process is far from quick and straightforward.

“This proposal (to change) will be sent to the sports ministry. It’s a process, and the process began today,” said AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey to news agency PTI.

“If the ministry does not approve, or if they have any other opinion, then there is no question. If the ministry approves, then we will bring it to the general body. Then, we will send (it) to FIFA. That is the second part of this process. “We need several approvals, FIFA’s approval, the ministry’s approval, but then you have to start from somewhere. So it is a start.”

AIFF will not be the first to undergo such a procedure. Turkey (Turkish Football Federation) are now referred to as Turkiye (Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu) in their official communications. The same holds true for the Czech Republic, who are now officially called Czechia, but the football governing body is still called Football Association of the Czech Republic.

No decision on club-led model

The AIFF also told its general body members that the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on September 4. Additionally, no decision was taken on the club-led model for the ISL.

On Friday, the AIFF had written to commercial rights bidder Genius Sports and notified them of the delay in the final decision. The national body also clarified that Indian football was set to take a different route on its financial structure.

Under a different route, AIFF and the ISL clubs reached a consensus last week, after meeting the Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Under the model, slated to run for four years, a separate entity will be created to run the league with clubs at the helm. The AIFF, meanwhile, will be responsible for logistics and operations. The AIFF will be compensated with Rs 16 crore per year in this arrangement.

With the AIFF awaiting a response from Genius Sports, a decision is yet to be ratified by the general body. It is expected to be discussed next week with the ISL managing committee, which consists of clubs and three AIFF officials.

After not getting the necessary time for deliberations in the previous SGM held in Kolkata in May, the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA) was adopted. Subsequently, a few amendments could be made to the AIFF Constitution by June 30. Under the NSGA, the sports federations, such as the AIFF, have until June 30 to officially adopt and implement the new constitutional amendments and governance guidelines mandated by the Sports Ministry.

During the SGM, the football calendar was also brought up, with ISL slated to begin on September 4 and Durand Cup at around the end of July.