India`s stressed football players have issued a joint statement with the administrators to start the currently paused Indian Super League (ISL), by saying that their anger and frustration have turned into desperation.
The plea came after the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it did not receive any bids for the commercial rights for the ISL. Earlier, the board had put out the Request for Proposal (RFP), inviting bids for a 15-year contract.
“Where we are right now is not a delay anymore, it`s a standstill for the coaches, fans, staff members, and players. We have worked too hard, sacrificed too much to let our season vanish in silence,” said star defender Sandesh Jhingan in a video posted on his social media handles.
“The entire Indian football ecosystem are hanging in uncertainty. Dreams are paused. Future being questioned. Every day we wait, Indian football bleeds. We need action and we need it now,” he asserted.
Several national players, such as Gurpreet Walia, shared a text statement expressing similar sentiments.
“We, professional footballers who play in the Indian Super League, are coming together to make a plea, and more importantly to send the message that we stand united in our efforts to get the Indian Super League season underway. To put it simply, we want to play, and now”.
“Our anger, frustration and distress has now been replaced by desperation. Desperation to play the game we love, in front of people who mean everything to us – our families, our fans,” the statement read.
The statement has urged the administrators to find a way out of the ongoing crisis, which has made the top cluns such as Mohun Bagan to pause their training.
“This is a plea to all those involved in running our sport in the country, to do whatever it takes to get the football season underway. India needs its competitive football now more than ever,” it said.
“As for us, we remain committed, professional and ready to walk out of that tunnel and onto the pitch the moment we`re told we can. All we ask of those running our beautiful game, to match our desperation with honest intent. We`ve found ourselves in a very dark tunnel for long. We could do with a little light,” it added.
The failure to attract the bidders is something over which the league`s viability is questioned. The issue emerged after the decade-long partnership with Football Sports Development Limited ended.
(With PTI Inputs)
