AIFF mulls professional football league by next year

New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) today announed to have a professional national league in place by the end of next year.

Addressing mediapersons here today, AIFF President Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said, ''We'll professionalise the National Football League by the end of next year. Six clubs have already written to us in this regard and more would follow soon.'' The proposed league would be a 10-team affair, he added.

Under the Vision India programme, professional leagues are envisaged in Delhi and Manipur, the two states selected for the pilot projects.

Asian Football Confederation Secretary Peter Velappan will launch the Manipur State League (MSL) on November 4 at the 20,000-capacity Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal.

Meanwhile, despite failing to win any of the AFC Asian Cup qualifying match, Mr Dasmunsi said coach Bob Houghton would be given a long rope to work.

UNI PDS AY HT1720