<div><span>The 'Sleeping Giant' of world football has finally woken up with the advent of Indian Super League and organisers, stakeholders associated with the much-anticipated event expressed confidence that this will change Indian football for good.</span><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>"It is with great pride that I welcome the eight League Partners to the Indian Super League.</div><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>"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.</div><div> </div><div>FIFA president Sepp Blatter had once called Indian football a 'sleeping giant'.</div><div> </div><div>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.<br /><br /></div><div>The league is being organised in partnership with broadcast partners Star India and has the backing of All India Football Federation.<br /><br /></div><div>AIFF president Praful Patel called it the most exciting period in the history of Indian football.</div><div>"No period in India's long and proud history in football is more exciting than today.</div><div><br />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.</div><div> </div><div>"With IMG Reliance & Star providing the perfect foundation, the League has become an unstoppable force which would change Indian football," Patel said.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div></div>
<div><span>The 'Sleeping Giant' of world football has finally woken up with the advent of Indian Super League and organisers, stakeholders associated with the much-anticipated event expressed confidence that this will change Indian football for good.</span><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>"It is with great pride that I welcome the eight League Partners to the Indian Super League.</div><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>"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.</div><div> </div><div>FIFA president Sepp Blatter had once called Indian football a 'sleeping giant'.</div><div> </div><div>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.<br /><br /></div><div>The league is being organised in partnership with broadcast partners Star India and has the backing of All India Football Federation.<br /><br /></div><div>AIFF president Praful Patel called it the most exciting period in the history of Indian football.</div><div>"No period in India's long and proud history in football is more exciting than today.</div><div><br />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.</div><div> </div><div>"With IMG Reliance & Star providing the perfect foundation, the League has become an unstoppable force which would change Indian football," Patel said.</div><div> </div><div><br /></div></div>