Arrows in dilemma after loaned players return

Kolkata: The Indian Arrows may have shifted their base to Kolkata but uncertainty looms large over the composition of the team that will have eight of its premier players returning to their mother clubs after playing for the AIFF side on one year `loan`.

As of now, the AIFF is depending on its president Praful Patel to sort out the issue with the respective clubs. The AIFF had last year bought about 8 players like Jeje Lalpeklhua (Pune FC), Raju Gaikwad (East Bengal) and Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill) on a one-year loan for the Arrows. "The players are free to go to their respective clubs as of now as the contract was for one year. It`s up to the president now to retain the players if he thinks so by talking about the matter with the respective clubs," AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told the reporters after a meeting at the IFA.As AIFF is about to sign the contract on dotted lines, a question mark still remains on how the quality of the outfit will be sustained considering that the parent body will have to shell out a lot of money that professional clubs are ready to shell out. About the deal with Pailan, AIFF vice president Subrata Dutta said that the official sponsors will provide the logistical support but federation will have the prerogative in terms of team selection and technical aspects. Asked whether the team would compete in the Calcutta Football League (CFL) Premier Division, Dutta, also the vice presient of, IFA said, "In order to do that, the Arrows need to come under IFA affiliation." PTI