East Bengal FC has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging intervention in the current crisis plaguing Indian football and uncertainty surrounding its top competition, the Indian Super League (ISL).
Club chairman Murali Lal Lohia said in a letter to the Prime Minister: «Indian football has been in a state of continuous decline for years. The country that once stood proudly on the Asian football podium – winning gold medals at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games and the bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games – is now ranked 142nd in the latest FIFA rankings.
“This fall from grace is not just a sporting setback; it is a matter of national importance and a reflection of long-standing structural problems that require urgent attention. While the on-field performance of our national teams has fluctuated over time, India at least had a vibrant and competitive local league structure that nurtured emerging talent and inspired countless youth to take up football with passion and ambition.
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“Football remains one of the most followed sports in the country – next to cricket – and remains the most popular sport globally. However, over the past four to five years, the governance and governance of Indian football has deteriorated alarmingly. This year, the crisis has reached unprecedented levels. The Indian Super League (our national league) has yet to commence, with no clarity on when – or if – it will begin. This uncertainty has deeply affected players, clubs, officials and millions of supporters across the country. The administrative paralysis and repeated delays threaten its integrity and future of the sport itself.”
The All Indian Football Federationm (AIFF) had confirmed that it has not received any bids for the commercial rights of the already postponed ISL.
The continued uncertainty surrounding the much-delayed ISL has led to a number of clubs suspending all their football activities indefinitely.
“It is with deep confidence in your vision and commitment to national development that we humbly request your intervention to address the crisis facing Indian football,” Lohia said, seeking support for the ‘immediate commencement of the ISL’ and ‘revival of investment and sponsorship in Indian football’.
«Investment and sponsorship in the sport has declined sharply in recent years, leading to severe financial pressure on clubs and development programmes. This acute lack of investment is one of the key reasons why the ISL has not yet started this season. Your guidance is urgently needed to restore business confidence, attract new investment and ensure the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the league and the wider football structure,» he wrote.
Published on November 20, 2025
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