ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters set to field reserve side in I-League second division
What's the story?
In a quite welcome development for Indian football, the second division of the I-League is expected to feature a total of 20 teams this season, with as many as seven Indian Super League teams set to field reserve sides in the competition.
In October, it had earlier been reported that as many eight ISL sides will be sending teams into the I-League second division. But now, it has been learnt through sources that the number has now reduced to seven, with ATK, NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC's reserve sides pulling out.
A source close to the Kerala Blasters franchise has informed Sportskeeda, that the club has expressed its interest in fielding a reserve team in the second division.
In case you didn't know
It was all the way back in June this year that it was proposed for the first time to include ISL reserve sides in the second division. An alternative of having a league consisting of ISL reserve teams and Public Sector Units (PSUs) was also put forward, which eventually was dropped.
The heart of the matter
The competition is expected to start in January 2018 and will, as a result, run in parallel with the ISL and the I-League. 13 teams from across the country along with the seven ISL second-string sides will make up the competition, the format of which is still yet to be decided.
For the convenience of the teams, it is likely that the league will be organized into zonal groups instead of the normal home and away format.
What's next?
The AIFF is expected to announce the final list of teams and the schedule for the second division soon, with the start tentatively slated for January.
Author's take
It is no doubt an excellent move for Indian football as it would mean a bigger second division and will also give a number of players a chance to gain valuable experience.