Former India Head Coach Armando Colaco Calls For 'Relegation And Promotion In ISL'

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 17:34 IST

Armando Colaco urges quick ISL resumption, promotion and relegation, better infrastructure and school tournaments to boost Indian football.

Armando Agnelo Colaco was conferred with the Dhronacharya Award for lifetime achievement in football. (IANS)

Former India head coach Armando Agnelo Colaco emphasised the importance of resuming the Indian Super League (ISL) and believes that introducing promotion and relegation will motivate teams to enhance their overall performance.

The 2025/26 ISL season was put on hold due to a deadlock between the AIFF and FSDL over their Masters Right Agreement (MRA). The Supreme Court has now instructed the football governing body to find a new commercial partner, and the Super Cup will commence the season in October.

What Armando Colaco Wants For Indian Football?

“We need to quickly resolve the issue surrounding the ISL so that our club football, which is the feeder for the national team, gets back on track. We also need to ensure more game time for the players and to have a dedicated roadmap for both the men’s and women’s team to progress through the international rankings.

“Logistics, planning and greater commitment from all stakeholders is key to future success. We also need to resolve our I-league and ISL issues, and introduce the relegation and promotion format in the ISL, that will incentivise clubs in I-League as well as the ISL to improve their overall game, strategies and tactics.

“Infrastructure and taking the game to the masses is extremely important to be able to tap the right talent and to develop a football-supportive culture. School and college level tournaments are not really happening and if focus is laid on the same, there will be an entirely new layer of development that will help feed the system on top," Colaco was quoted as saying to IANS.

He further stressed the importance of infrastructure and expanding the game’s reach to tap into talent and develop a football-supportive culture. He highlighted the need for school and college level tournaments, which could create a new layer of development to support the system.

(With inputs from IANS)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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News sports Former India Head Coach Armando Colaco Calls For 'Relegation And Promotion In ISL'

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