ISL is a ‘secondary’ competition, says Chuni Goswami

CALCUTTA (India): Legend and Olympian Chuni Goswami voiced his support for I-League by saying that Indian Super League (ISL) has no importance in Indian football.

The former star who captained India to the Asian Games gold medal in 1962 spoke to Khelupdates.com on the sidelines at the Bengal Tennis Association (BTA) awards ceremony on Friday evening.

“Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are not there in ISL. So, the competition has no value. No matter how much hype the organisers create, it has no importance. The federation should immediately allow the top two Calcutta clubs to play in ISL,” said Goswami.

Asked why he rates ISL as ‘secondary’, the 81-year-old added, “AIFF is trying to publicise the event with third-class foreign players. There’s no focus on the local footballers. They’re being neglected.”

The feud between ISL and I-League has dogged Indian football since last one year now, with several I-League teams blamed the AIFF for being prejudice towards the national league.

“I think the federation should protect the I-League, but they can’t do because they’ve sold themselves to the sponsors,” said Goswami.

“ATK can’t be compared with Mohun Bagan or East Bengal.”

Another yesteryear star Shyam Thapa, who was present on the occasion, maintained a balance of thought.

“If the federation says ISL is the number one league in the country, I don’t have anything to say. AFC has already awarded top-league status to ISL. But if the federation wants to improve the sport, then they should include Calcutta teams in ISL,” said Thapa, who debuted as a 18-year-old with East Bengal in 1966.

“There can’t be two leagues in a country. Running a parallel league will affect the sport’s growth,” he added.