Manipal, Jan 29: The football crazy students of Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University will have a league of their own. Perhaps the most popular sport among the MITians, there being a tremendous fan following of the major leagues around the world, the students came up with the idea of their very own league, much on the lines of the big-time championships. Manipal Institute of Technology Football League (MITFL) as it is called will kick-off on February 7, 2016.

Shubh Patodi, a third-year student is the brain behind the league. An ardent follower of the game, Shubh conceived the idea of the league in MIT which can, in due course of time, gain in status and bring laurels to not only the engineering institute but also Manipal University. So he, along with a few like-minded students, drew up a plan to have the students engaged in the sport for the next four months.

Dr G.K. Prabhu Director MIT has assured full support for the league and hoped that some day it would be popular enough for students everywhere talking about it. The first season will have six clubs vying for the title. The teams were picked after trials in which about 750 students took part. The teams, Alpha Knights, Delta Warriors, Zeta Bolts, Omega Vikings, Psi Vipers, Gamma Gladiators, will play each team twice in the league twice and most of the games will be played on Sundays. Teams receive three points for a win and one for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored.

Shubh Patodi plans to add two more teams to the league but also promote the sport for girls as MIT has its own girls football team as well. The grounds to be used are the football grounds at MIT and End Point. Plans are on to create floodlights at the MIT ground so that some of the matches can be played under lights. MITFL is sponsored by Bhai Jugaad and Webloom Solutions and more sponsors are expected to pitch in. The League is a platform for start-ups and corporates to promote themselves as their logos will be displayed on the jersey of players.