AIFF Charts 21-Year Football Development Roadmap with Global Governance Model
The All India Football Federation has presented an ambitious 21-year development plan for Indian football. This comprehensive strategy aims to transform the country's football landscape by implementing global best practices through a new governance structure for club leagues.
New Governance Framework for Indian Leagues
On Tuesday, the AIFF shared this detailed charter with all fourteen Indian Super League clubs. The federation established two powerful bodies to oversee league operations. These bodies will manage both the ISL and I-League moving forward.
The Governing Council emerges as the highest authority in this new structure. This 22-member body will supervise the overall success of both leagues. It includes all fourteen ISL club owners, three AIFF office bearers, and two independent experts without commercial ties to football.
The council meets annually and holds final authority on financial matters and major policy decisions. This body represents the ultimate decision-making power within the league governance framework.
Operational Management Committee
The Management Committee takes responsibility for daily league operations. This 11-member group focuses on executing the vision set by the Governing Council while developing new revenue streams.
The AIFF secretary-general chairs this committee, which prioritizes smooth league functioning. Its composition features a rotational lineup of five ISL club CEOs, including representatives from the previous season's champions and runners-up.
AIFF officials and commercial partners complete the committee membership. This structure ensures diverse perspectives in operational decision-making.
Global Best Practices Implementation
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey explained the federation's approach to PTI. "We have created a roadmap for the next twenty-one years detailing how India's top two leagues will be managed, administered, promoted and developed by these two bodies," Chaubey stated.
"Our team conducted thorough research on how the world's best football leagues operate. We studied their structures before framing these policies. We have taken references from top global leagues and proposed implementing these best practices in India's premier football competitions," he added.
Partnership Opportunities
The AIFF demonstrates its commitment to long-term partnerships through this new structure. Both the Governing Council and Management Committee reserve three seats each for potential commercial rights partners.
This strategic move indicates the federation's willingness to explore new partnership opportunities. It creates space for commercial collaborators within the decision-making framework.
The 21-year plan represents a significant step toward professionalizing Indian football administration. By establishing clear governance structures and incorporating global standards, the AIFF aims to elevate both the ISL and I-League to international levels of organization and performance.
