I-League mulls no relegation this time, NEROCA FC want to make lifeline count
NEROCA finished last in the I-League table this season. The All India Football Federation is planning to do away with relegation because of the pandemic.
If things are to go as per the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) plans, the 2021-22 season of the I-League will see 12 teams in action, one more than the usual.
This is because the AIFF is considering reinstating the relegated team from last season -- NEROCA FC -- for next season’s competition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision comes as a shot in the arm for northeast India, a hotbed of footballing talent in the country. Teams from the region have been impressive at all levels of Indian football, including the I-League.
Teams from Mizoram and Manipur have dominated in recent years. While Aizwal FC scripted a fairytale win in 2016-17, NEROCA FC finished runners-up the following season. In 2020-21, TRAU FC was in contention for the title until the final matchday when Gokulam FC became the first team from Kerala to win the I-League.
“Ever since Aizwal FC’s win, the performance of the northeast teams have been really good,” I-League CEO Sunando Dhar told Olympics.com
"And if you look at it, there’s a lot of local rivalry between TRAU and NEROCA. So, TRAU’s performance this season should in a way inspire NEROCA to improve their level next season. We can surely hope for the team to put up a better show next season.”
Reinstating a relegated side is not new in the I-League. While the concept of 'freezing relegation’ this time has been taken from major international leagues, the All India Football Federation has twice before not demoted teams finishing with the wooden spoon.
Churchill Brothers (in 2018) and Aizawl FC (in 2016) were not relegated from I-League first division. Since teams were pulling out due to financial constraints, the AIFF decided to retain legacy clubs like Churchill and a talented team like Aizawl FC.
Aizawl FC grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went on to win the I-League.
“Obviously we believe in promotion and relegation. That is the right model for football leagues to go forward,” Dhar explained, adding that the situation sometimes demands flexibility.
Aizawl FC can be role models for NEROCA FC. Although the AIFF is yet to make its decision official, the Manipuri side is already planning its course for next season.
“We were not happy with our performance last season. We could only meet very few of our targets. The team didn’t perform well on the field,” Manimohan Moirangthem, the NEROCA FC secretary said.
“I think if the pandemic was not on and if it was a normal season we could have had a better performance. But now if we are to get a chance, we will try and do our best.”
The extraordinary circumstances due to the pandemic could also influence a team like NEROCA, that runs on a shoestring budget, to plan their roster.
Admitting that the composition of the squad let the team down last year, Moirangthem is hopeful the club will do a better job this time.
“Yes, we could have an all-Indian side. But that’s the last option for us. We have a number of young players in the club. So that’s something we can bank on,” Moirangthem hoped.