The much-anticipated professional football league of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will be launched on November 24 in Goa. The inaugural edition of the national league, re-christened as the I-league, will kick off with the Goan derby between defending champions Dempo SC and Salgaocar SC, at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda.

The 18 rounds of the league will go on till March 30.

At an unveiling ceremony of the mascot and logo of the I-league in the capital today, AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi stressed on the need for more clubs to be included in the top division to create a bigger pool of players in the country.

“It’s a historic moment for us, after several delays and enormous amount of co-ordination we have reached this stage. There are bound to be shortcomings, but we will try our level best to enhance the I-league as our flagship,” Dasmunsi told newsmen.

The first edition will feature 10 teams - mostly from Kolkata, Goa and Mumbai - but the Federation and its broadcast partner Zee Sports are looking to increase the number of clubs in the future.

“There will be two clubs relegated and four promoted from the second division each season and after three years, we aim to have a top division of 16 teams so that most of the country is represented,” said Gary Lovejoy, chief operating officer of Zee Sports, one of the promoter’s of the I-league.

“The following of the league will increase considerably if youngsters have a local team to support.”

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