Revealed: Who are the corporates bidding for new Delhi-based I-League team

AIFF League Committee have approved all five direct I-League entry bids.

AIFF League Committee declared all the five direct entry bids for the I-League to have the "requisite financial capabilities" to operate in the Hero I-League and. The apex Federation have referred the final decision to the AIFF Executive Committee, which will meet in Bengaluru on July 3rd to reveal the two selected teams and their home bases.

Joint bid by Jindal Group and TVS for I-League club from Delhi

A new force in the shape of Concatenate Advest Advisory Pvt Ltd's bid have emerged as a potential contender for a New-Delhi based team bidding for a direct entry. The two corporare entities have formed collaboration between the B.C. Jindal Group and TVS Motor Company. The B.C. Jindal Group differs from JSW and includes the Jindal Polyfilms group.

The conglomerate's primary objective is to establish Delhi as a prominent footballing centre in India by connecting with the rapidly expanding fanvase in the city, targeting a vision that includes a well-based football culture and ecosystem.

Plans to invest in Delhi grassroots football

The two groups have etched long-term plans to invest in grassroots football in Delhi. They know the importance of nurturing young talent, and one of the goals is to establish a world-class academy dedicated to the development of Indian players and coaches.

Another key aim is investing in world-class training and matchday facilities and the upgrading of pre-existing infrastructure in the form of stadiums in New Delhi.

While Delhi FC have already secured promotion to the second division, another club from the nation's capital will only enhance the footprint of the sport in New Delhi.

AIFF statement

The AIFF releases a statement saying, “The AIFF had earlier received five bids for the Hero I-League 2023-24 as direct entrants: YMS Finance Pvt Ltd (Varanasi, UP), Namdhari Seeds Pvt Ltd (Bhaini Sahib Village, Punjab), Nimida United Sports Development Pvt Ltd (Bengaluru, Karnataka), Concatenate Advest Advisory Pvt Ltd (Delhi), and Bunkerhill Pvt Ltd (Ambala, Haryana).

"The Committee found all the bids, which were examined and evaluated by the independent financial expert, have the requisite financial capabilities to operate in the Hero I-League. After reviewing the bid documents of all the candidates, the League Committee found it prudent to refer the final decision on the inclusion of the clubs to the Executive Committee, which meets in Bengaluru on July 3.”

While it was reported yesterday that Inter Kashi were the bidders for the club from Varanasi, it has since emerged that that two large corporate houses i.e. the Jindal Group and TVS Group have come together to make a joint bid from Delhi.