League Notes: AIFF Invites Bids For New Clubs, Entities To Join '14-15 Season

The All India Football Federation on Saturday "invited bids for new clubs and entities to participate" in the '14-15 season of the I-League. The pre-bid meeting "is scheduled to be held on May 15, and the last day for submission of bids is June 2." In order to broadbase the game, the AIFF "may give preference at its own discretion to bids received from clubs/entities who want to operate from non I-League Cities like Ahmedabad, Baroda, Chennai" (PTI, 5/3). ... The Board of the Champions Hockey League decided to expand the number of teams for the inaugural '14-15 season from 40 to 44. There will be 11 groups (up from 10 previously) where now the 11 group winners and the five best runners-up will qualify for the round of 16. The four new clubs are Briancon Diables Rouge (FRA), SønderjyskE Vojens (DEN), Nottingham Panthers (GBR) and Vålerenga Oslo (NOR) (IIHF).