AIFF had to reschedule I-League matches in Goa during the Christmas week due to high costs involved for visiti... Read More

PANAJI: The All India Football Federation ( AIFF ) has been forced to reschedule I-League matches in Goa during the peak Christmas week due to high costs involved for visiting teams.

Churchill Brothers Sports Club, Goa's only representative in the I-League, were scheduled to play two home games against Mohun Bagan (December 26) and Minerva Punjab FC (December 30) in the original draw released by AIFF last month. However, the AIFF has now realised that visiting teams would incur heavy expenses for their travel and lodging.

"We have already rescheduled those two games. It doesn't make sense for the teams to spend so much of money to come to Goa and play these games. We have suggested alternative dates which will be announced once we get the approval from the broadcasters," I-League CEO Sunando Dhar told TOI on Thursday.

According to Dhar, he was told by Mohun Bagan that they would have to spend at least Rs 15 lakh on their travel and stay in Goa, especially because they would have to land here on the eve of Christmas, generally considered peak-time for the tourist season. The travelling contingent involves 18 players and seven officials.

"It was just too expensive. We would have incurred a cost of Rs 14 lakh for this match alone. We get Rs 40 lakh subsidy from the AIFF for nine (away) matches. What sense does it make to spend Rs 14 lakh on a single match," asked Mohun Bagan finance secretary Debashish Datta.

The AIFF has also confirmed that Indian Arrows will move to Delhi for their next three matches - also during the Christmas week - and then possibly return to Goa for the remainder of their 'home' matches at the GMC Athletic Stadium. Indian Arrows played their first two matches in Goa due to unavailability of the stadium in Delhi but were keen to extend their stay here.

"The national team department will take the final call but it looks like Arrows can play their next three matches (December 22, December 26 and January 2) in Delhi and then return to Goa. The cost of tickets and hotel accommodation will be at an all-time high during the Christmas week," said Dhar.

AIFF's decision to postpone the two home games of Churchill Brothers means the former I-League champions will play their first match at home on December 19 against Chennai City FC and then wait for the new year to welcome East Bengal on January 6.

