Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
The 12th edition of Hero I-League – India’s top football league, was officially launched at a glittering ceremony in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
The Hero I-League will kicks off on October 26, and see 11 teams teams covering 10 states battling it out for the top honors over a period of six months.
This season, fans will witness for the first time top-flight football entering the valley state of Jammu & Kashmir with Real Kashmir making its much-awaited debut. Real Kashmir was recently promoted to the Hero I-league after a stupendous run and title win in the second division league last season.
“We are very happy to welcome Real Kashmir FC to the league. The pan Indian presence of the League has been its unique feature in the last few editions. Furthermore, with the valley state entering top-flight football this season, the Hero I-League yet again stands true testimony to how it has played a critical role in spreading the game to all corners of the country,” said Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation.
“The Hero I-League has been scouting and nurturing current and future stars of Indian Football over the years. This year we have 11 teams from 10 states fighting for the top honours in the 12th edition. I wish luck to all the participating teams,” Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation stated.
The 11 teams from 10 states of the 12th Hero I-League are – Defending Champions Minerva Punjab , Aizawl FC (Mizoram), NEROCA (Manipur), Shillong Lajong (Meghalaya), Mohun Bagan & Quess East Bengal , Gokulam Kerala , Churchill Brothers , Goa Indian Arrows, Chennai City (Tamil Nadu), Real Kashmir
The first match will kick off on October 26, 2018 between Chennai City FC and Indian Arrows at Coimbatore from 17:00 hrs onwards.