In recent months Tripathi, who is Chairman of the Diya Group of companies, has been in discussions with Sunshine Coast FC about a potential bid for an A-League licence.

Tripathi is soon to be the licence owner of a newly formed Indian Super League side, while his Diya Hope Football Academy has a global partnership with former AC Milan star George Weah.

A fan of the A-League since its inception, Brisbane-based Tripathi believes the third most populated area in QLD would be an ideal location for expansion.

“I love the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “The catchment area of the Sunshine Coast from Caboolture in the south to Gympie in the north has a population of 564,139 and that will grow to 726,240 people in 2021 and 827,753 people in 2031.

“The idea that somehow that there isn't the catchment here or a team won’t work here simply isn't true.”

With no other sporting codes to fight against, Tripathi believes that a Sunshine Coast A-League side is a viable prospect but added any bid must not be reliant on a single cashflow.

“This is virgin territory for top tier sport in this country,” he said. “There is no NRL side or AFL side here and there is only an ANZ Championship Netball side.

“The league has to make sure that whoever gets the expansion licenses (obviously I hope that is the Sunshine Coast bid) that they are a truly stable financial club (without single owners to avoid the Gold Coast disaster as a prime example) but also they have a true talent pathway for local players to make it.”

Tripati revealed that the owner of QLD NPL club Sunshine Coast FC would be meeting with FFA next month and details such as, stadia, club names and colours were yet to be finalised.

"At this stage, all such matters are being done in consultation with Mr Noel Woodall, and other stakeholders,” he said.  

“However, it is my view the theme and designs should speak to the coastal culture that make the Sunshine Coast the iconic place that it is. 

"An obvious location would be the expanding Kawana stadium but we are in discussions with local government in terms of meeting any FFA criteria there."

Meanwhile Tripati also said that his ISL team and any potential A-League Sunshine Coast side will have a formal partnership and that this relationship would benefit both Indian and local youngsters.

 “There is an amazing young crop of talent coming through in India but they are raw talents,” he said.

“They need avenues outside the ISL to develop fully. This is where I believe that the Diya Hope Football Academy I will be establishing in Gujarat comes into play. Linking the Gujarat ISL side to a network of sides around the world will not only help the development of Indian football, but also football in Australia and around the developing football world.”