AIFF yet to appoint CEO for I-League

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Despite all the attempts in recent times to professionalise football set-up in the country, the AIFF has failed to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for second edition of the I-League, which kicks off on Friday.

Last month, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had created posts of chief executive, manager and assistant manager to run the professional I-League according to the guidelines of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

But till now, the federation has not appointed anyone for any of the posts.

Explaining the delay in appointing a CEO, AIFF president Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said, ''Till now we didn't get a good candidate for the post of CEO. We are still looking for it and our host broadcaster Zee Sports is helping us to find a suitable person. So we have decided to appoint an acting CEO for the time being.'' The issue assumes vital importance since failure to comply with AFC norms may cost India a berth in the Asian Champions League - the showpiece event of club football in the continent.

The CEO's role will be to run the I-league and oversee other domestic tournaments. He will also design and implement programmes to help the professional clubs. The manager will help the CEO in handling cases of registration and transfer of players'.

UNI AB PY CS1651