Boria Majumdar
Over the last week, we have seen news of football clubs suspending their operations against the backdrop of the uncertainty surrounding the start of the Indian Super League (ISL). To be honest, they are right to do so. Football in India is a loss-making proposition, and no club will want to add to the overheads with the league itself being in doubt.
In this context, the meeting between the AIFF and all the ISL clubs was of heightened significance. In the meeting, the clubs were unanimous that for the sake of Indian football, the ISL uncertainty needs to be resolved soon. While the AIFF too sounded keen and committed, the truth is their hands are tied. The matter is in the Supreme Court, and unless there is a legal resolution, not much can be done.
That’s what brings me to the sports tribunal. The need for the tribunal, one of the central features of the Sports Bill, is being felt more than ever. We need a speedy disposal of the cases pending, and we need the sport to move on. Whatever the decisions are, we need the logjam to clear. If the national league doesn’t happen, the sport takes a few steps back and players’ livelihoods are impacted. A no-ISL scenario could be the worst blow Indian football has seen in a long time. That’s why we need decisions. We need to know the way forward, and the truth is the apex court has far more important matters pending. It can’t be expected that football will be issue of importance, and that’s what makes the tribunal a dire necessity.
Had the tribunal been in existence, it would have heard the matter with urgency and given its verdict. While not taking any side here, let me say that Indian football deserves better and so do the fans.
Just yesterday, Dimi Petratos came back to Kolkata for the forthcoming season. And there were a few thousand fans present at the airport at 2am in the morning to welcome him. The fans are steadfast. They will continue to support their favourite team come what may. They will be there in the stadium come hell or high water. That’s fandom. And for them, to be deprived will be the worst thing possible. In fact, the only thing that has sustained Indian football all this while are these fans. While the national team has gone from bad to worse, the support has never been in question. Be it in Guwahati, other cities in the North East, in Bhubaneshwar or Kolkata, fans have thronged the stadiums whenever the national team has played. And each time MBSG or EB have played, over 30,000 people have turned up.
The fans deserve the league. So do the players. They deserve a sport which is better governed and better administered. They need the verdict and need the decisions. And that’s why the tribunal is a pressing necessity. Each time there is a logjam like this in the future, affected parties can approach the tribunal knowing they will have priority and a ready forum to go to. If you ever needed convincing that the sports bill is a necessity, the time is now. More than ever.
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