Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma expresses dismay after club's Premier 1 License rejection

The Kalinga Warriors finished seventh in the ISL 2024-25 season.

After the AIFF Club Licensing results were declared, it was found that the former Super Cup winners, Odisha FC’s Premier 1 License, got rejected. Rohan Sharma, Odisha FC’s Chairman of the Board, took to X to express his discontentment and struggles in running the franchise since the last season.

After emerging as the table toppers of the AFC Cup South Zone and the women’s team making headlines after qualifying for the AFC Women’s Champions League, things have gone downhill for the Juggernauts.

Not only did the star-studded men’s team led by Sergio Lobera fail to make it to the ISL Playoffs, but the defending IWL Champions, Odisha FC Women, got relegated as well.

Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma highlights the struggle to run the club

Rohan Sharma shared that he was aware of the club’s license getting rejected, citing multiple reasons that led to the same. He shared that the Government of Odisha has not granted access to the stadium and practice grounds for the upcoming season. He even reflected his willingness to pay for the stadium.

But according to him, the authorities wanted to sign an outdated Memorandum of Understanding from 2019. He even stated how, despite having no MoU last season, the franchise turned down a front-of-kit sponsorship as a gesture of goodwill. He also shared his feeling that the government authorities are too reluctant to even sort things out.

Rohan Sharma promises to uphold local talent at Odisha FC

Apart from just empowering budding athletes in the state, Odisha FC owner Rohan Sharma also promised to include at least one local Odia player in the Odisha FC team, if not more. He urges the Government of Odisha to take this matter seriously and establish a new connection for the development of sports in the region.

He also pleaded for help and support from local Odia sports enthusiasts and supporters, as he feels there is immense potential in this region to nurture and produce athletes. Lastly, he urged the authorities not to destroy what he has been building for years.

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