Indian Super League is all geared up to rejuvenate the craze and charisma of football in India. Football is the most favoured game in the world. More than 200 countries actively participate in the game and it has an enormous fan base.
India hosts several thousand fans, who follow and support the game passionately.
Football was introduced to India about 100 years ago. The oldest football club Mohun Bagan was founded in Kolkata in 1889 and the Durand Cup was started in the year 1888.
India lost the pace and passion for the game. Now it stands nowhere close to the top teams of world football. The craze for the game is extremely high, especially among the younger generation.
Millennials and Gen-Z are crazy about football. They follow world football and are passionate about the sport. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and other European clubs have an enormous fan base in the country.
FIFA World Cup is avidly awaited and watched among the Indian masses. The enthusiasm and passion for football are nonetheless than cricket.
Even the European clubs can’t resist this enthusiasm and have partnered with Indian Super League (ISL) franchisees. City Football Group (CFG) bought a majority 65 per cent stake in the Indian Super League franchise Mumbai City FC.
Swiss FC Basel bought a 26% stake in Chennaiyin FC, Borussia Dortmund acquired a stake in Hyderabad, FC Watford in the Odisha FC and RB Leipzig in the FC Goa.
These partnerships are not limited to playing league matches. They will also contribute to mentoring and training of players. They want to uplift the standard of football in India.
ISL has become the host of major initiatives to improve the sport. ISL motivated its franchisees to find and train local players with potential.
Fan clubs have a major contribution to the development of football. The separate fan clubs of different franchisees focus on activities and strategies laid out to strengthen their clubs by recognising and motivating the young talented local players.
At many places, there is a plan to build residential academies equipped with modern facilities and conditioned coaches. The academy will provide good nutrition, analytics, biomechanics to strengthen the next generation players.
The aim is to provide required resources and equal opportunity to all irrespective of the money.
The Indian football ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation in just a matter of 7 years. The possibility of an Indian manager leading one of the top-tier football clubs in the country was negligible.
Khalid Jamil became the official head coach of Northeast United FC. His appointment proves how Indian Super League (ISL) is contributing to the reconstruction of professionalism and world-class potential in India.
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