Shivajians prepare for the long haul, hire Neel Shah as their CEO

DSK SHIVAJIANS appear to be slowly building up their club for a long haul in Indian football. After setting up an academy with first-rate infrastructure and announcing the construction of a new stadium, they have roped in the experienced Neel Shah to be their CEO.

Shah has been active in the business side of football worldwide for more than a decade. He has worked for the Major League Soccer and was involved with Indian football when he was in a senior position at Libero Sports.

A major challenge that Shah will be facing at DSK Shivajians is that of making the club popular among the locals and creating a matchday culture that sees the club's brand, as well as the sport of football, flourish in Pune. 

This is an especially difficult and important task; especially with the history Pune has had with football. Two I-League clubs based in the city, Pune FC and Bharat FC, have shut down after failing to gain popular support. The city's ISL franchise, FC Pune City, has had moderate impact after aggressive marketing and remains the least popular team in ISL.

DSK Shivajians, despite trying to make an impression on their debut season by hiring Shaan to perform during their first home game, have seen a low turnout for their matches so far.

The club is also having a bad time in the league as they sit at the bottom of the points table at the moment.

It appears that Shah's plans would target the next season as the one when DSK Shivajians truly sink their teeth into their functioning as a top division club in this country, looking to gain recognition as a club, a brand as well as a competent team in the I-League.