By IANS
New Delhi : All the clubs in the I-League’s first and second division have to fulfil the licensing rules of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) by June if they want to qualify for the regional champions league, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced here Monday.
The I-League, which concluded Saturday with Dempo lifting the title, is the country’s first professional league and was played on the lines of AFC pro-league. The AFC is trying to professionalise leagues in 21 countries and India is a part of it.
“All the clubs in the first division have been given a deadline to fulfil all the licensing criteria by June, before the draw of next I-league. The AFC pro-league committee officials will also have a workshop here in April and all the clubs will attend it,” said Colaco.
“Out of the 21 countries we are in a very good place and if our clubs fulfil all the rules then our clubs can qualify for the 2009-10 Champions League,” he said.
The AFC officials will help the clubs to fulfil the licensing rules before they submit their report to the Asian body in October.
Colaco also said that some second division clubs like Chirag United, Vasco, Mumbai FC, Pune FC and Amity United are very close to fulfilling all the licensing rules set by the AFC.