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Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, MARCH 6: Mumbai’s soccer was gearing up for a windfall. A couple of multi-nationals based in the commercial capital of India were willing to provide the city’s soccer an unprecedented boost.
With Bengal Mumbai Football Club (BMFC) already in existence, the addition of two more professional clubs could have altered the power equations. Top names in Indian soccer would have been roped by these clubs, which could have found Mumbai displace time-honoured Calcutta as the Mecca of Indian soccer.
Firstly, the AIFF decided not to give direct entries in the NFL to newly-crowned local league champions like BMFC and Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). The multi-nationals, as a result, did some rethinking about investing their money in new clubs whichwere not going to fetch them the necessary mileage.
Secondly, the AIFF decided to scrap the NFL relegation. This meant Mahindras and Churchill Brothers avoided slipping from the NFL first to second division this year. If the relegation had stood, BMFC would have stood a good chance of gaining a direct entry into the NFL.
BMFC are spending a fortune on their four Nigerian imports, including two internationals in Emeka Achelifu and Musa Aliu. The AIFF attitude towards a newly-formed professional club like BMFC thus made the management of the yet-to-be-formed professional clubs think again.
One official asked: “What is the use of pumping in huge amounts in these days of financial crunch if we run the risk of being treated in similar fashion as BMFC and PSEB were?” The efforts of football-loving executives of these multi-national companies had even ensured that they would be given a place in the Western India Football Association (WIFA) Super League. In fact, the WIFA called a special meeting at itsheadquarters in Cooperage, which was attended by top city coaches and officials. Most of the coaches accepted the idea of having new teams in the Super League, provided they fulfilled the required criteria.
The trend of professional clubs in Indian football was started by FC Kochin a few years ago, roping in big stars like IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri and Carlton Chapman.
The star-studded team won two major titles — the Durand and McDowell Cups — before getting a direct entry into the First Division of NFL. FC Kochin also finished fourth in the second Philips NFL.
BMFC joined the professional bandwagon and gained direct entry into WIFA Super Division. BMFC justified their high-billing by winning the Gulf Oil Super Division followed by the Rovers Cup — credentials which deserved a place in NFL. Or, so they thought.
