Uncertain future for Super Cup
PANAJI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has put the Super Cup in cold storage, after just two editions.
A tournament that pitted the might of legacy-rich ILeague clubs against their cash-rich opponents from the Indian Super League (ISL), Super Cup was started two seasons ago after disbanding the much-revered Federation Cup. Two ISL clubs - Bengaluru FC (2018) and FC Goa (2019) - emerged triumphant in the last two seasons, but apart from small consolation for their losses in the ISL final that year, they didn't have much to celebrate.
Elsewhere in the continent, knockout competitions offer a place in Asian tournaments - AFC Champions League and AFC Cup - so clubs could not be blamed here for not taking the tournament seriously. There was nothing at stake for them, apart from the cash purse of Rs 25 lakh, nothing much for clubs who end up spending much more to simply participate.
At least this season, the Super Cup won't be held. It was a season-ending tournament for the last two years, but AIFF general secretary Kushal Das admitted that holding the tournament now "didn't make sense."
"The tournament is definitely not scrapped. We are only not holding it this year. It's not being held because the three (continental) slots have already been decided. You cannot have two leagues and another Cup slot. The AFC has given a special dispensation for India, and at this point the Super Cup probably does not make sense," said Das.
One school of thought is that the Super Cup will attract better attention, from fans and participating clubs, if held prior to league kickoffs. Most teams look for good preseason opponents to get into the groove. A competitive tournament could do them a world of good, better than the college teams that some clubs are forced to play due to lack of opponents.
"All possibilities are being discussed," said Das.
With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirming the three continental slots for ISL League winner, ISL League runner-up and I-League champions, the Super Cup has been left to fend for itself. "We were doing it because we didn't have a roadmap. Now, there is a roadmap. At least this season, now in April, does not make sense. Let's wait and see about next season," said the AIFF general secretary.
Such an arrangement will continue to be in place for the next three seasons. Until promotion and relegation is introduced in the ISL as per the roadmap and the knockout competition gets a continental spot, the Super Cup may continue to remain in cold storage.
A tournament that pitted the might of legacy-rich ILeague clubs against their cash-rich opponents from the Indian Super League (ISL), Super Cup was started two seasons ago after disbanding the much-revered Federation Cup. Two ISL clubs - Bengaluru FC (2018) and FC Goa (2019) - emerged triumphant in the last two seasons, but apart from small consolation for their losses in the ISL final that year, they didn't have much to celebrate.
Elsewhere in the continent, knockout competitions offer a place in Asian tournaments - AFC Champions League and AFC Cup - so clubs could not be blamed here for not taking the tournament seriously. There was nothing at stake for them, apart from the cash purse of Rs 25 lakh, nothing much for clubs who end up spending much more to simply participate.
At least this season, the Super Cup won't be held. It was a season-ending tournament for the last two years, but AIFF general secretary Kushal Das admitted that holding the tournament now "didn't make sense."
"The tournament is definitely not scrapped. We are only not holding it this year. It's not being held because the three (continental) slots have already been decided. You cannot have two leagues and another Cup slot. The AFC has given a special dispensation for India, and at this point the Super Cup probably does not make sense," said Das.
One school of thought is that the Super Cup will attract better attention, from fans and participating clubs, if held prior to league kickoffs. Most teams look for good preseason opponents to get into the groove. A competitive tournament could do them a world of good, better than the college teams that some clubs are forced to play due to lack of opponents.
"All possibilities are being discussed," said Das.
With the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirming the three continental slots for ISL League winner, ISL League runner-up and I-League champions, the Super Cup has been left to fend for itself. "We were doing it because we didn't have a roadmap. Now, there is a roadmap. At least this season, now in April, does not make sense. Let's wait and see about next season," said the AIFF general secretary.
Such an arrangement will continue to be in place for the next three seasons. Until promotion and relegation is introduced in the ISL as per the roadmap and the knockout competition gets a continental spot, the Super Cup may continue to remain in cold storage.
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