IPFA may to sponsor NFL from next year

The Indian Premier Football Association will most likely sponsor the National Football League from next year, its president Vijay Mallya announced on Wednesday.

Mallya told newsmen in Bombay that the All India Football Federation made an offer for sponsorship wherein IPFA members will have to contribute to the total budget of Rs 100 million, which he said is quite likely.

Mallya expressed satisfaction with the compromise reached between the IPFA and AIFF, saying it is a ''win-win'' position for both.

He said the IPFA will now go further and start under-19 teams as a feeding route and organise tournaments for the age-group.

He informed United Breweries-sponsored Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will also put up women's football teams in Calcutta's IFA league.

He denied that the IPFA has any hassles with the AIFF and said it is not a parallel body.

''We are spending crores of rupees in preparing the teams for the NFL and in return neither the game, the players nor the clubs were getting any mileage, which now, with IPFA representation in the organising body, will be sponsor-friendly and spectator-friendly,'' he said.

He also informed that the IPFA is ready to take charge of Federation Cup which was not held for last two years.