Lack of interest from National telecasters for its major tournaments has landed the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial rights holder, IMG Reliance, in a spot of bother.
A recent tender released by AIFF's commercial partner seeking National telecasters for major tournaments like the Federation Cup and the I-League has evoked a mild response. Hardly meeting the earning figures the latter had expected to gain from telecasting rights.
Instead, there is a regional television channel from Kolkata which has presented a bid that is more than double the amount quoted by the ‘National' telecasters like Sony Television, ESPN or TEN Action Plus among others, according to a senior AIFF official.
It is said that IMG Reliance is looking at something around Rs. 30 to 40 crore from the sponsorship rights, while the ‘regional' channel itself quoted around Rs. 25 to 30 crore.
This has queered the situation as regional telecasters have to get the ‘feed' of the matches from the national telecaster and if the latter is not finalised the telecasting issue will remain undecided. AIFF has asked its commercial partner to give a final picture on the issue by August 18.
Seeks FIFA's views
Meanwhile, AIFF has written to FIFA seeking its views on the issue of recalling players for the National camp. This clarification comes after the clubs' refusal to release players citing the Indian senior team's tour of the Caribbean as an unofficial friendly not approved by FIFA.
The AIFF has also ensured assurance from the Indian High Commission which will now be overseeing the security of the Indian team that will travel to Barbados via Heathrow and Gatwick in England on Saturday.
