The transfer syndrome intensified with the arrival of club officials of Mumbai team Mahindras. Headed by club president and director of the company Allan Durante, the team comprising coach SS Hakim, manager Harish Rao and the others, flew in by private jet in a `go-for-it' signal by the management to recruit big names.

Mahindras failed to make the Super Six stage of the NFL, now in progress here, but the Durand Cup win last year appears to have fueled the company's soccer ambitions. Sources reveal an increased budget for football, a development that has encouraged Hakim, as the company approaches big names like Mohun Bagan striker IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Ancheri and East Bengal's Bhaichung Bhutia, Carlton Chapman. But Hakim, making no secret of the move, said it was plain talk sofar. ``Yes, we are with the aim of recruitment but its only spadework now. The final pass will be made in Calcutta.''

The second leg of the Super Six will be held in Calcutta next week before the transfers commence on April 1. The Santosh Trophy for the National Championships, set to commence on March 17 at several venues in Tamil Nadu, is expected to be played without some big names who would rather recoup from a killing schedule.

Vijayan admitted considering Mahindras' offer as also offers from FC Kochin and Calcutta rivals East Bengal but understandably will delay his decision, while appreciating the law of demand and supply in Indian soccer's money market.

And that market has taken an adverse turn after major sponsors of Calcutta's top sides Mohun Bagan and East Bengal slashed their financial support by 40 per cent. Players' monetary terms are likely to be directly affected. It won't come as any surprise should there be a mass exodus of stars from the eastern metropolis. The domestic scene is setfor some interesting -- and intriguing -- changes in clubs' composition and strengths.

But, is a change already prevalent? A drop in form and performance of some players is already noticeable. The brakes put on all-out efforts on the pitch in order to avoid injury is understandable, given the possibility of changed loyalty and better prospects next season, save a period of few weeks when the League and Cup competitions head towards a climax. It allows both players and clubs make the best decision for themselves.

Unlike here in India where Churchill Brothers' coach, Scotsman Danny McLeannan observes: ``There is a hole in the roof and it takes me one year to fix it.''

But then, neither Scotland nor the rest of Europe experience the anarchy that is Indian football. The tottering National League run by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has failed to achieve consistency as regards format, rules and regulations that concern vital issues.

Norms for relegation have not been established nor have therules on minimum number of foreign players per club -- a vital parameter to determine recruitment.

And this year's second division of National League will be run only after the dust, raised by the transfers, settles. How meaningless can a competition get?