"That system once formed the backbone of Indian football. District and state leagues fed into national tournaments, and professional players could climb step by step from district clubs to state teams and eventually the national setup. The Indian Super League (ISL) changed all that, breaking away from the national system more than a decade ago. It has been drifting further from the base of the pyramid that once produced its players ever since."
"This summer, India's Supreme Court stepped into football's biggest fight. It ordered the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to run an open tender for commercial rights to the Indian Super League, ending the decade-long exclusive arrangement with its private operator. The order came after months of uncertainty that saw the 202526 season placed on hold, clubs delay payments and the league's leadership locked in negotiation. The federation has set an October 15 deadline for new bids to run the competition."
Local leagues and district competitions historically provided the core competitive structure for Indian football, allowing players in cities like Mumbai to play 100–120 matches in a season. District and state leagues fed national tournaments and enabled clear progression from district clubs to state teams and the national setup. The Indian Super League (ISL) launched in 2014 as a franchise-style competition and created a parallel system outside the traditional ladder. The ISL's long commercial deal with a private operator and increasing distance from the grassroots have unsettled the ecosystem. A court-ordered open tender and looming bid deadline now threaten the continuity of upcoming seasons.
Read at www.dw.com
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