Ishfaq Ahmed confirms he has signed for IMG-R’s proposed IPL style tournament

Ishfaq Ahmed (left, wearing no.35) played for East Bengal last season

Former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal player Ishfaq Ahmed has confirmed that he has signed with AIFF’s commercial partners IMG-Reliance to play in the proposed IPL-style football tournament.

Recent media reports had quoted Ishfaq saying that he had refused an offer from IMG-R and was instead talking to I-League clubs including East Bengal, where he played last season, but the 30-year-old has now rubbished such claims.

“In response to the recent media reports, I would like to clarify and confirm that I have signed a contract with IMG-Reliance for their proposed franchisee tournament. It’s my privilege to be among the first few footballers in the country to be selected by the IMG-Reliance management and I am fully committed to honour my contract,” the Kashimiri said in a statement.

The former Dempo and Salgaocar man added, “My comments in the media were construed out of context in the recent past. I denied making any statement of myself walking out of IMG-Reliance contract and/or negotiating with any other I-League club/s.”

As of now, the I-League clubs have made it clear that they won’t release any players for the IMG-R tournament or sign anyone who is contracted with the AIFF’s commercial partners.

But if the situation changes and players are eventually allowed to represent both I-League teams and IMG-R tournament franchises, the ex Mohun Bagan skipper will then consider playing for an I-League club too.

“I am very excited about my new contract and I am looking forward to the exciting three months of the proposed tournament, and if at all I am allowed on loan system, then I would also like to explore playing for an I-League club. Hope my clarification puts the media created speculation at rest,” he concluded.

The IMG-R’s proposed tournament is expected to start in January 2014 and will comprise eight city-based franchises.