MUMBAI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has paved the way for Jindal Vijayanagar Steel (JSW) and Mumbai Tigers to debut in I-League season from 2013-14. The participating fee for existing Clubs for the I-League has been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 500,000.

The bid evaluation committee found the proposals from JSW and Mumbai Tigers to be based in Bangalore and Mumbai respectively in immaculate condition and recommended their direct entry into the league.

As regards the bid from the Consortium from Kerala, certain clarifications have been sought, post which a decision would be taken. Queens Park Rangers have given a tentative proposal to participate in the I-League from 2014-15 onwards after fulfilling all the criteria and standards as required.

The AIFF committee also set up a deadline for existing I-League clubs by which the existing clubs would have to start constructing their own stadium/refurbish an existing stadium latest by 1 June 2015, the failure of which the defaulters would be axed from the league.

The committee felt that a discussion should be initiated with Pailan Group. Meanwhile, AIFF?s marketing partners IMG-R made a presentation regarding the newly proposed league which kicks-off in January 2014. It was also unanimously decided to make amendments to the AIFF Constitution as per the Directives of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in regard to age and tenure.

JSW?s team owner Sajjan Jindal said, "We believe these are exciting times for Indian football and are happy to be entering the league at this stage. We would like to thank the All India Football Federation for awarding us the Bangalore franchise. The popularity of football is growing rapidly in India and we are excited at the opportunity to do our bit to enhance the standards of the beautiful game. In keeping with JSW philosophy of building a strong India, we hope to build a strong and successful football franchise."

Set to play their home games in Bangalore, JSW has many plans. One plan is to set up a football academy, spearhead by a coach and also provide better infrastructure to the youth in the vicinity. With their competitive spirit and sleek display, JSW aim to attract the crowds back to the stadium.

JSW adds that the basic idea to enter the League is to spread the game to many more cities so that fans can get a chance to view their heroes in action at close quarters and also to improve the infrastructure in the respective cities.

For the 2013-14 edition of the I-League, the committee decided to increase the number of foreign recruits to four. Every club would be allowed to register four Foreign Recruits (3+1) and play all of them.