Archive · 6 Aug 2026
AIFF Appeals to Tata Group Over Jamshedpur FC ISL Exit
The Tata Group is a very big company in India that owns a football team called Jamshedpur FC, which plays in a top Indian league called the Indian Super League.
Recently, Tata decided to take the team out of that league.
A football leader named Kalyan Chaubey asked Tata to change its mind because the team matters a lot to Indian football.
Chaubey used to train at the Tata Football Academy, a special school Tata started in 1987.
More than 275 players have learned football there, and Chaubey is one of them.
Tata says the decision was planned long ago and will not be changed because it wants to focus on teaching young players.
Tata also promised to respect player contracts and help players find new teams.
Chaubey believes Tata did not make the decision just for money, because the company has many businesses.
He hopes Tata will keep supporting Indian football.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey appealed to the Tata Group to reconsider Jamshedpur FC's 'shocking' withdrawal from the Indian Super League (ISL).
Tata Group said the exit was a long-planned strategic decision to refocus on grassroots football development, not a result of the ISL's commercial uncertainty.
Tata Steel Vice President D B Sundara Ramam said the move has 'nothing to do' with the ISL's commercial future and would not be reconsidered.
Tata Steel assured that Jamshedpur FC will honour all existing player contracts and help players find new clubs.
Chaubey, a Tata Football Academy graduate, noted the academy has produced more than 275 players since 1987 and urged Tata to remain in senior top-tier football.
Chaubey said the decision cannot simply be about money, such as the Rs 1.1 crore participation fee, given Tata's many businesses.
- Who
- Kalyan Chaubey, President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), appealed to the Tata Group, which owns Jamshedpur FC.
- What
- Chaubey urged the Tata Group to reconsider Jamshedpur FC's withdrawal from the Indian Super League.
- When
- Not specified in the articles.
- Where
- India, concerning Jamshedpur FC and the Tata Football Academy.
- Why
- For the interest of the players and Indian football, while the Tata Group cites a strategic shift to grassroots football development.
Keep Tata in senior football
Tata's grassroots-focused exit
Jamshedpur FC's ISL exit
Keep Tata in senior football
AIFF President Chaubey appealed for a rethink, saying Tata should remain in senior top-tier football for the interest of the players and Indian football, and the AIFF is ready to incorporate any suggestions.
Tata's grassroots-focused exit
Tata Group said the withdrawal is a final, long-planned strategic decision to return to its core ideal of grassroots football development and will not be reconsidered.
Reason behind the withdrawal
Keep Tata in senior football
Chaubey believes the decision cannot be driven solely by commercial interests such as the Rs 1.1 crore participation fee or management costs, given Tata's many businesses.
Tata's grassroots-focused exit
Tata stated the exit has 'nothing to do' with uncertainty surrounding the ISL's commercial future and had been planned well in advance.
- AIFF President
- Kalyan Chaubey
- Club withdrawing
- Jamshedpur FC
- League
- Indian Super League (ISL)
- Stated reason for exit
- Strategic refocus on grassroots football development
- Key Tata Steel official
- D B Sundara Ramam, Vice President (Corporate Services)
- Player contracts
- To be honoured; players assisted in finding new clubs
- Tata Football Academy established
- 1987
- TFA graduates
- More than 275 players
- Participation fee mentioned
- Rs 1.1 crore
