ISL Clubs Push Back as All India Football Federation Opens Door to New Committee Amid Revenue Concerns
The All India Football Federation has softened its stance amid growing unease among Indian Super League clubs, indicating it is open to the creation of an additional governing body if the clubs formally pursue the idea. The shift comes after a collective pushback from 13 of the 14 ISL teams, who questioned the federation’s roadmap for the league’s long-term commercial and administrative structure and instead called for a new working committee to ensure greater clarity and shared decision-making. Despite already having a governing council and a previously formed managing committee in place, clubs argued that the existing mechanisms have not adequately addressed their concerns. The proposed working group is expected to feature a mix of owners and senior executives from across franchises, reflecting a more unified front from the clubs as they seek a stronger voice in shaping the league’s future. In his response, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey maintained that the current committees were established precisely to facilitate dialogue and collective decisions, while defending the federation’s handling of the commercial tender process. “The governing council and the managing committee were meant to act as a forum for informed dialogue and collective decision-making,” he wrote, adding, “The tender process for appointing a long-term commercial rights partner for the ISL and the Federation Cup has been conducted transparently, and in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the previous instance.” At the same time, Chaubey left the door open for further restructuring, stating, “However, should you wish to propose the formation of any additional committees, the AIFF welcomes your suggestions.” As part of ongoing consultations, the federation has also facilitated direct interaction between clubs and one of the key bidders, Genius Sports, with a meeting scheduled following the clubs’ insistence on deeper engagement. Behind the governance debate lies a more pressing concern, money. Genius Sports has tabled a significantly larger financial package, offering ₹64 crore in the first year and a projected ₹2,129 crore over a 20-year cycle with a steady annual increment. In comparison, FanCode has proposed ₹36 crore upfront and around ₹1,190 crore across the same period. From these deals, the AIFF is set to receive a fixed 20 percent share, translating to ₹12.8 crore or ₹7.2 crore in the opening year depending on the bidder, while the rest would be used to run and produce the league. Clubs, however, are less concerned about the headline figures and more about what ultimately flows into their own accounts. With the commercial partner expected to control a majority stake in the league’s revenue structure, clarity on distribution has become a sticking point. “As per our understanding, AIFF will be secured of at least ₹27 crore (including ₹1 crore participation fee from a minimum of 14 clubs) from the first year, but how much will clubs get?” a club official said, reflecting a sentiment shared across franchises. The uncertainty has only deepened calls for financial guarantees, with another pointed remark capturing the mood, “After spending so much over the years, clubs would seek a guaranteed inflow of funds from the revenue pool. Hopefully, we will have all our queries answered on Thursday.”
From Dusty Chess Pieces to Grandmaster Glory: The Relentless Rise of Aronyak Ghosh
At just four years old, Aronyak Ghosh stumbled upon a dusty box of chess pieces while his mother cleaned the house. The set belonged to his father, Mrinal Ghosh, but to the child, it was something entirely different. The black-and-white pieces looked like soldiers, and the chessboard became a battlefield. As he moved them across the floor, unknowingly staging a war, his father watched in stunned silence. That quiet moment would go on to shape the course of their lives. Mrinal, who had once played chess casually, felt something shift as he observed his son’s instinctive fascination. It was then that he decided chess would not just be a pastime, but an essential part of Aronyak’s life. In an unexpected twist, the father himself returned to the game with renewed passion, eventually competing seriously and earning an official FIDE rating. Years later, that early spark has culminated in a historic achievement. Aronyak Ghosh has now become India’s 95th Grandmaster, securing the title after an impressive performance at the 23rd BCC Open 2026 in Bangkok. With an unbeaten score of 7 out of 9 and a performance rating of 2584, he clinched his long-awaited third and final GM norm. For the Ghosh family, this milestone carries far more weight than a sporting title. It marks the end of years filled with sacrifice, uncertainty, and relentless effort. Having crossed the 2500 ELO mark earlier and earned his first GM norm in 2022, the final step had remained frustratingly out of reach for nearly four years. “It is entirely a relief,” said his mother, Sanchita Ghosh, speaking from Bangkok. She added, “As parents, after leaving everything behind, even setting aside academics, this is a huge relief for us. It means that what we committed to has finally succeeded.” The journey was anything but easy. Coming from a modest background, the family had to make difficult and often painful choices. Mrinal, who later became a chess arbiter, sometimes sold household belongings just to cover tournament fees and travel expenses. Financial stability was never guaranteed, and every opportunity to compete came with pressure. “We didn’t receive much financial support,” Sanchita recalled. “Most of the time, we depended on his prize money to fund further tournaments. It was always reinvested. At a very young age, he understood that winning prize money was necessary to keep playing. He used to think that if he played too aggressively and lost, he wouldn’t have the funds to continue.” This constant pressure shaped Aronyak’s mindset early on. Unlike many of his peers, who benefited from sponsorships, his ability to participate in future tournaments often depended entirely on his current performance. His introduction to competitive chess came at the Under-7 Nationals, but the experience was overwhelming. “After every round, he would ask about the opponent’s state and rating. It was very stressful for him,” his mother shared. Recognizing the need for structured training, the family sought guidance from coach Sarbajit Adhikari, who helped Aronyak build the stamina required for long matches. He later trained at the Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy before moving to Alekhine Chess Club, where his game began to evolve significantly. It was there that he met Soumen Majumdar, affectionately known as Somen Da, whose influence proved transformative. Under his mentorship, Aronyak adopted rigorous training routines, often practicing eight to nine hours a day. Despite the family’s financial struggles, Somen Da supported himself unselfishly. “Somen Da would have been the happiest if he were alive today,” Sanchita said. “He didn’t get to see Aranyak become a Grandmaster. He always used to say: ‘Do not just aim for 2500, aim for 2600’.” Even with such an intense focus on chess, Aronyak continued his education, completing his schooling at South Point School and later pursuing a B.A. degree. He also secured a job with Eastern Railway, providing some degree of financial stability. In recent months, his performances have reflected his steady rise. He won the National Rapid title and contributed to a third-place finish for his team at the 45th National Team Championship. By the time he arrived in Bangkok, he was already seen as a “GM-in-waiting.” His earlier norms in Barcelona (2022) and France (2024) had set the stage, and the final breakthrough finally came in Thailand. Yet, for Aronyak, the Grandmaster title is not the end, it is a beginning. It offers him the freedom to play without the constant burden of financial uncertainty tied to each move. Sanchita makes it clear where his future lies: “There’s nothing else. He hasn’t done anything else besides chess. It’s not possible now to switch to academics. The time to build that foundation was already devoted entirely to chess. Chess is the primary thing. Everything else is secondary.”