For a country that sings football chants in its streets but beats to the rhythm of cricket bats in its stadiums, Indian football is once again standing between hope and heartbreak. The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) latest tender for the Indian Super League (ISL) launched on October 16 ended in silence. Not a single bid came forward.
As the country’s top football division slipped into uncertainty, defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant made a shocking move. The club announced it was suspending all first-team operations until the future of the league became clear. Across the city, their arch-rivals East Bengal continue to operate with cautious optimism.
But East Bengal’s senior official Debabrata Sarkar made headlines with a bold suggestion he asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to step in and help Indian football.
“If BCCI steps in, football can move forward” – Debabrata Sarkar
Speaking to PTI, Sarkar said, “Indian football cannot stop like this. If the BCCI sponsors the sport for at least four-five years, it would make a huge difference. For them, Rs 100-150 crore is not a big amount. If they take responsibility, Indian football can move forward in a better way.”
His words reflect a harsh truth. The glamour that once surrounded the ISL is fading. When the league began in 2014, it promised to transform Indian football. Big stars, Bollywood owners, fireworks it had everything. But over time, the excitement dimmed, and reality hit hard.
Behind the scenes, clubs were losing money every year. Youth academies barely functioned. There were no long-term plans. Investors began losing interest. When AIFF invited new ISL bids this year, no one was willing to take the risk.
Cricket, on the other hand, shows how it can be done. The BCCI has built a self-sustaining system with media rights, fair revenue sharing, and grassroots investment. Every IPL team knows what to expect financially. Football, in contrast, runs on scattered funds and uncertainty.
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It is unlikely that the BCCI will sponsor football. But AIFF can learn from its success. Pooling revenues, protecting clubs, and building a transparent model can help the sport recover. Indian football doesn’t need the BCCI’s cheque. It needs its clarity.
