The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has decided to postpone the ongoing Hero I-League 2021-22 for at least 6 weeks.

This decision was taken on Monday. As per the decision, The  AIFF League Committee will have a review meeting after 4 weeks.

The  AIFF League Committee will have a review meeting after 4 weeks to take stock of the situation.

The decision to postpone the league was taken after the committee received a report of the AIFF Sports Medical Committee prepared by  Dr Harsh Mahajan on Monday.

AIFF  senior vice president and chairman league committee Subrata Dutta chaired the meeting held via video conferencing.

Dr Mahajan in his report  said that  the number of positive cases rising all over the country exponentially, the new covid norms and restrictions being implemented by the Government of West Bengal, and with the philosophy of AIFF not allowing any compromise with the health and safety of the players and officials, it’s prudent that the Hero I-League 2021-22 be postponed by at least 6 weeks,

“The omicron variant spreads very fast but also comes down very rapidly. We also need to take account and consider the government regulations and policies,” he averred

The clubs unanimously appreciated the efforts taken by the AIFF to give paramount importance to the health of the players and officials.

Thereafter, the League Committee, abiding by the consensus of all the participating clubs as per the suggestion of Dr. Mahajan, ratified the decision to postpone the ongoing Hero I-League 2021-22 for at least 6 weeks. The League will have a review meeting after 4 weeks to take stock of the situation

Earlier in the day, the League had gathered for an official meeting with representatives all the participating clubs of the Hero I-League 2021-22 (also via video conferencing), wherein the AIFF put forward to the clubs the suggestion of the AIFF Sports Medical Committee.

The protocol of the bio bubble will continue till January 7, as all teams will be tested again on January 5, and teams can travel back to their respective destinations once they are tested negative. 

Players and officials who have tested positive in the team hotels who have already been isolated will be treated, and quarantined in Kolkata as per the health parameters laid down and will be allowed to leave the bubble after they test negative. to take stock of the situation.

( Writer Harpal Singh Bedi is renound sports’ commentator in India)