The India Super League has helped in the development of football in the country, but Indian players must step up to play their part in further developing the league, this was the opinion of India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua.

“Compared to our time back in 2007-2008, when I turned professional, we never got such facilities like it is now in the ISL. Now, things have changed. Players are very important to take Indian football to the next level now. Players now are very lucky to get these opportunities. They need to grab these with both hands and make use of it,” Lalpekhlua was quoted on Times of India.

Six years ago, in 2014, the India Super League was established, and it has grown to be India elite and premier football league with its winners getting to qualify automatically for the AFC Champions League group stage.

Although, the automatic Champions League Spot started in the last season for the India Super League winners, it is the first time in the history of Indian football that it will be awarded a direct group stage spot in the AFC Champions League.

Before then, a Playoff spot in the AFC cup was granted to the India Super League in 2018, and Lalpekhlua, while playing for Chennaiyin FC, was the first player to score a goal in the Asian Competition against Colombo FC of Sri Lanka.

The new 2020/2021 season of the Indian super league is scheduled to start by the 3rd week of November 2020 after the Coronavirus pandemic delayed the start of the new season.

Atletico de Kolkata won the previous 2019/2020 season of the Indian super league, but in the new season, they will participate as ATK-Mohun Bagan after they secured a merger last season.

Mohun Bagan also won the I-League 2019/2020 season with four matches to spare.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu