Profiling the five potential I-League direct entrants for 2023-24 season

The AIFF Executive Committee have provided I-League licenses to all five applicants.

The Hero I-League as we know it will undergo a radical and much-needed change from the 2023-24 season. What is now India's second-division football league will see a potential 16 teams take part from the upcoming season, a massive jump from the 12 teams that contested the 2022-23 edition.

The bottom two teams Kenkre and Sudeva Delhi have been relegated and their spots occupied by the newly-promoted Delhi FC and Shillong Lajong. The AIFF had received five applications for two direct entry berths, but have decided to go ahead with all five for the upcoming season. Here is a profile of the five new I-League teams.

AIFF Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran said after the AIFF Executive Committe meeting held in Bengaluru earlier today, “It is extremely encouraging to see all the Executive Committee members taking part in all the decisions today. We had open discussions on Indian Football agendas, especially the decision to inculcate five new clubs into the Hero I-League, which is historic.

"I am thankful to the League Committee and the Executive Committee for this. Also, I congratulate Satyanarayan for being appointed Deputy Secretary General, which will add to the strength of the AIFF in delivering and improving secretariat decisions.”

Inter Kashi: YMS Finance Private Limited (Varanasi, UP)

A franchise that was named just four days ago have received a direct entry to the I-League on the first time of asking. Inter Kashi is the brainchild of the RDB Group Conglomerate managed to rope in a star-studded partner list with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid re-entering the Indian football hemisphere, FC Andorra, which is co-owned by Gerard Pique, and Andorran League Champions Inter Escaldes.

While there is a huge potential fanbase for Varanasi's first-ever professional football club, they could shift to Delhi for their initial years as there is no football stadium in the city capable of hosting I-League level matches yet.

FC Bengaluru United: Nimida United Sports Development Pvt Ltd (Bengaluru)

While Bengaluru FC has put the city's name firmly on India's footballing map, a club often lying under the shadows is FC Bengaluru United. Despite boasting of a technical arrangement with LaLiga club Sevilla, FCBU failed to qualify to the I-League through the qualifiers despite multiple attempts.

Since BFC began playing in the ISL, there has not been a Bengaluru-based team in the I-League. FCBU's entry will fix that gaping hole and could pay dividends for a football renaissance in the Garden City in the future. The club narrowly lost out to SC Bengaluru on the final matchday of the 2022-23 BDFA A Super Division, and are set to lose their star striker Irfan Yadwad to Chennaiyin FC.

Namdhari Seeds Private Limited (Punjab)

With RoundGlass Punjab getting promoted to the Indian Super League, The famed Namdhari brand will look to keep a Punjab-based club in the second division. The group focuses on seed production using cutting edge technology. They have groomed some of Indian hockey's biggest prospects, and are based out of Ludhiana, Punjab. The Namdhari Football Academy has been gaining widespread recognition since 2018.

Concatenate Advest Advisory Limited (New Delhi)

A mega link-up between two giants, namely TVS and B.C Jindal Group, comes in the form of Concatenate Advisory limited. The club has promised immense investments for the betterment of football in India's capital, with a central focus on bringing to life an academy with world-class facilities.

As other I-League clubs such as Inter Kashi, Delhi FC and the Punjab franchise could operate out of New Delhi, the return of top-level sport in Delhi which was bereft of it since the disbanding of Delhi Dynamos is an exciting outcome.

Bunkerhill Private Limited (Ambala, Haryana)

Bunkerhill are one of the investors in Mohammedan Sporting since 2020. As they already have a 50% stake in an existing I-League franchise according to their Memorandum of Understanding with the Kolkata-based club, this conflict of interest could result in the Bunkerhill Private Limited group withdrawing their bid for a direct entry to the I-League.

These decisions promise an exciting future for Indian football, and the I-League in particular. The influx of teams with differing bases could result in football becoming a more viable potential career option for youngsters, with the promise of world-class academies resulting from the inclusion of these franchises.

The sport is enjoying an upward spiral, and is garnering unparalleled interest among all corners. The promise of promotion to the ISL for the I-League winners is an added target for the competing teams.

In the same AIFF General Secretary Meeting, the return of the historic Federation Cup was announced, to the delight of the footballing fans across India.