ISL will change Indian football for good, say stakeholders

 

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were among the host of high-profile winning bidders as the organises of ISL unveiled the eight franchises for the event that is set to take Indian football by storm.

 

"It is with great pride that I welcome the eight League Partners to the Indian Super League.

 

We want to unlock the unbound aspirational energy of our youth through grassroots and community development programs," said Nita Ambani, chairperson of IMG-Reliance, organisers of the event.

 

"Together, we will strive to build a vibrant ecosystem that will provide impetus to football in India. As Mentor of the League, I commit myself to development of football as a major sport for the youth of India," she added.

 

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had once called Indian football a 'sleeping giant'.

 

The bid winners for the eight franchises of the league, which is scheduled to be held in September-November, was announced here by organisers IMG-Reliance after evaluation of the bids by a seven-member panel.

The league is being organised in partnership with broadcast partners Star India and has the backing of All India Football Federation.

AIFF president Praful Patel called it the most exciting period in the history of Indian football.

"No period in India's long and proud history in football is more exciting than today.

This day will go down in memory as a special day for Indian football as eight-high profile celebrities and corporates are being introduced into the sport through Indian Super League.

 

"With IMG Reliance & Star providing the perfect foundation, the League has become an unstoppable force which would change Indian football," Patel said.