Odisha FC owner opens on suspension of operations amid ISL 2025-26 uncertainty

Odisha FC were Super Cup Champions in 2024.

Former Super Cup champions, Odisha FC, made a bold move by suspending all existing contracts amidst the uncertainty revolving around the future of the Indian Super League. In a letter to the employees, the Kalinga outfit informed them that the club is temporarily suspending its operations.

Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma took to X to explain what went behind taking this audacious call. At a time when the Indian football fraternity is going through a tough time, many fans suspect that other clubs might follow Odisha FC’s footsteps in suspending their operations temporarily.

Here’s what Rohan Sharma told us about his decision to suspend the team’s operations.

Also Read: Odisha FC suspend contracts amid ISL 2025–26 uncertainty

Rohan reassures that Odisha FC is not shutting down

While many feared that this could be the end of Odisha FC, Rohan Sharma clarified that the operations have been suspended temporarily in light of the ongoing uncertainty prevailing over the future of ISL.

His tweet read, “We haven’t shut down the club despite the headlines. Key staff members are retained, and our women’s team will be operational. However, it becomes harder to justify to my stakeholders to sink Crs upon Crs with nothing to show for it, and no end in sight.”

He feels it is becoming difficult to justify to the stakeholders the incurring of losses, year after year. With no end in sight, Rohan Sharma believes that, with heavy hearts, he had to take this bold decision of suspending the operations of the club temporarily.

He later said that key staff members have been retained and the women’s team will be operational.

Has the Odisha government stopped extending their support to Odisha FC?

Time and again, Rohan Sharma said that, post the new regime obtained power at the state, there has not been much support from the local government. He stated that there’s no clarity on whether Odisha FC can train and play their home games at the Kalinga Super Cup.

Also Read: Trying to force us out: Odisha FC owner slams government over Kalinga Stadium row

He also said that amidst growing uncertainty over the future of ISL, no sponsorship deals and no ways to engage with the investors have badly affected the club. He even feels that these issues will be resolved soon, and such actions might even prompt the authorities to fast-track solutions.

He said, We didn’t go into this offseason planning to take this step. In fact, we had made 5 signings until it became clear things were delayed. We desperately hope the above issues get resolved; maybe doing this will prompt people to fast-track solutions so we can get back to work.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.