Union Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, on Tuesday, announced that the Indian Super League (ISL) will begin on February 14, ending months of uncertainty caused by the absence of a commercial partner. It will be a shortened season, with only four months remaining in the window. However, all 14 clubs will participate. A total of 91 matches will be played on a single leg – home and away basis.
Expressing a huge sigh of relief, East Bengal club Football Secretary Saikat Ganguly said to RevSportz, “We are extremely happy and would like to express our appreciation to the Sports Minister, the concerned authorities, and the Government of India for their steadfast support in ensuring that Indian football moves forward and the league takes place.”
He added, “Our club supremo Debabrata (Nitu) Sarkar had consistently maintained that the league would happen despite doubts and apprehensions among other clubs and the larger football fraternity. His confidence came from a deep understanding of the Indian football ecosystem and the legacy and connection the club shares with the people. In a country of 140 crore people, he was certain football would continue.”
“Given the time constraints, a single-leg league is the only viable option, and we welcome it. Something is better than nothing. Whether matches are played at one venue or multiple venues, with a fair split of home and away games, we are fully prepared. As a professional football club, we welcome the start of top-tier league and are ready to play in any format,” he added.
According to the newly-promoted Inter Kashi Club President, Prithijit Das, “The AIFF’s decision to finally start the ISL after months is a very positive step. It’s been a painful period for everyone involved, so the focus now should be on returning to the pitch and doing what footballers do best—play football. The league starting on 14th February is a great way to begin the year and brings hope back to Indian football.”
Every ISL and I-League team will get to play in front of their home crowds, even if the number of matches have been halved. But under the circumstances, this was the best solution.#ISL #IndianFootball @BoriaMajumdar ✍️ https://t.co/ZuAiS7mJv0
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) January 7, 2026
For Inter Kashi, this moment is even more special, in the backdrop of the club’s promotion to the ISL and the announcement of plans to build a football stadium in Kashi. There is immense relief and happiness for players, staff, coaches, and fans, as the dream of playing in the ISL is finally becoming a reality—not just for the club, but for Uttar Pradesh as a whole.
While the format of the league is secondary right now, the priority is simply to restart football. The federation’s long-term roadmap gives confidence about stability in the coming years, though financial challenges remain for this short season, especially in relation to attracting the sponsors. Government support has been crucial, and along with the efforts of the federation and its committees, it has played a key role in ensuring football can restart.
Indian Football Association (IFA) Secretary Anirban Dutta, who was one of the three-member coordination committee set up by AIFF, was happy to see the start of the ISL. According to Anirban, “The resumption of the ISL is a huge relief not just for me but for the entire Indian football community. Fans and stakeholders have waited patiently for a long time, and I am deeply satisfied to have contributed to making this happen. I am grateful to the AIFF for giving me the opportunity and for listening to our recommendations, which ultimately led to a solution.”
He added, “The main issue earlier was a lack of communication. Dispute-resolution begins with listening, understanding concerns, and addressing justified demands. That process helped resolve the situation, while also making it clear that the ISL had to resume immediately.”
“Regarding home matches, clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan can decide whether to play at Salt Lake Stadium or Kishore Bharti. Given both are city-based clubs, the derby will be held in Kolkata, allowing fans to witness it live,” said Anirban.
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