A first-of-its-kind platform for young football enthusiasts to showcase their talent at India’s premier football league
National, 6th December 2022: We’re in the midst of the football season and excitement is at its peak with the on-going Hero Indian Super League. But there’s more! Football enthusiasts as well as KFC fans can ‘score big’ this season as your fav brand of crispy chicken – KFC – and your fav sport of football come together for the first time. Announcing an iconic partnership, KFC India joins hands with the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) as the official partner this season. As a part of this collaboration, football fans will get a chance to enjoy the first-ever KFC Street Football – a unique platform for young football enthusiasts across the country to showcase their talent to millions of viewers.
Commenting on this landmark association of the brand with football, Moksh Chopra, General Manager, KFC India, said, “Football culture in India has been growing rapidly and leagues like Hero ISL bring fans closer to the sport. Joining the frenzy with KFC Street Football, we promise football fans an exciting opportunity to showcase their talent on national television, at the biggest league in the country. From finessing the perfect dribble to showcasing your freestyle moves, football enthusiasts will get a chance to be part of the action on ground. Viewers are also in for a ‘Bucket-sized’ surprise during the match. So, practice your dribbles and Let’s Football, Let’s KFC this sporting season!”
KFC Street Football will be scouting for players with some cool moves & great footwork across 5 cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata & Kochi. Indian football legend Baichung Bhutia was present at the inaugural match on the 3rd of December in Bangalore and cemented this association while announcing the biggest and most anticipated football championship in the country. Popular Indian Rapper, Siri, was also present on-ground to enliven the game with her bars and add to the spirit of the sport.
Talking about the association, Indian Football phenom Bhaichung Bhutia said “India has an unexplored reservoir of football talent, especially at the grassroot level. With KFC’s partnership with the Hero Indian Super League and the introduction of KFC Street Football we are looking at the first-ever platform in the country that allows young football enthusiasts to showcase their talent to a national audience. I am thrilled to announce this unique collaboration and look forward to an amazing gaming season this year.”
Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) spokesperson added, “We are pleased to partner with KFC India for KFC Street Football and the Hero Indian Super League. At FSDL, we constantly look at ways to provide football talent and fans a platform to express themselves through a large platform. We are sure that this association will amplify the popularity and growth of the Indian football ecosystem.”
Starting December, football fans across the country will be asked to post online videos showcasing their footwork and freestyle moves using the hashtag #KFCStreetFootball. That’s not all, spectators will also have a chance to take part in on-ground challenges including The Dribble Challenge, the KFC Bucket Challenge, and the Freestyle Challenge at the KFC Selection Zone. The top 3 will get a chance to showcase their skills live during each game, at half time, where a life-size KFC Bucket will take center-stage. These performances would be aired on Star Sports giving young talent a national audience.
After going through all the performances, a panel of freestylers and coaches will choose the final 15 contestants to play in the Battle of the Streets Finale based on individual innovation, style, and flair. The final 5 teams will have 3 players in each team who will be the best from the 150 enthusiasts who get a chance to perform at the half time street football challenge.
Starting off the first 5 games in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Mumbai with a performance by rap artists from each of these cities, all the matches will be broadcast in the following home game of that venue.
So, if you’re a football fan, ‘head’ your way ahead of competition and get a chance to showcase your skills to millions with KFC Street Football!
