Nothing but football.
Kenny Daglish has confirmed that he will part of the upcoming Indian Super League. However he is not sure of the role he will be playing in the tournament.
“I’ve seen the reports saying I’ll be making a return to management over there, but that’s a little premature. I’m delighted to be part of it, but quite what my role is going to be is still up for discussion.” He told Mirror.
Reports are coming through that IMG – Relaince has appointed Ko-Ichiro Kato, former Head of Competitions, Brazil Office, FIFA 2014 World Cup and FIFA Head of Club World Cups (2005-2010), as Consultant, Tournament Operations for the much-anticipated Indian Super League.
“Japanese national Ko-Ichiro Kato is an able football administrator being associated with FIFA competitions over the last decade in various leadership roles and will bring in his experience and expertise to oversee the Indian Super League operations to ensuring its smooth conduct,” tournament organiser IMG – Reliance said in a statement.
This is the second major hiring by IMG – Reliance after appointing Greg Gillin, a Wembley Stadium expert and Senior Director, National Stadium Singapore Sports Hub, as the pitch consultant.
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According to a report in TOI, it is understood that IMG – Reliance has struck a deal with Star India to become equity partners in a JV to run their proposed IPL-Style football league.
After this development, Star India will hold 30% stake in the joint venture IMG – Reliance. According to the report, IMG – Reliance and Star India will disperse 100% broadcast revenue to franchise owners in the first season.
Elsewhere in TOI, it is also reported that football stars such as Yorke, Ljungberg, Pires, Crespo and Saha has been signed by IMG – R for their upcoming league. Thierry Henry and Michael Owen could also join the fray. Peter Schmeichel, the legendary Danish and Manchester United goal keeper and Marcel Marcel Desailly former Chelsea and France legend has been roped in the role of coaches.
IMG – R Chair Person Nita Ambani confirmed to TOI : “Having Star on board as a partner strengthens our efforts and commitment to propel Indian football to its rightful place. We see the launch of the football league as the realization of a dream of a billion-plus Indians to experience the most cherished game globally in new ways,”
It is also understood that some I-league clubs will all bid for franchises during the auctions. Pune FC-Piramals, East Bengal, JSW, Dempo-Salgaocar are in the fray to pick up franchises. Apart from that a host of corporates, Celebrities and a consortium of businessmen from Kerala are in the fray for team in the proposed league.
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If reports in Malayalam media is anything to go by, IMG – Reliance and IPFCA has sort out issues. Five of the IMG – Reliance contracted players will be joining Mohammedan Sporting.
Rahim Nabi, Ishafaq Ahamed, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Manish Maithani and Louis Barreto has Joined Mohammedan Sporting says the report.
It is also reported that Kerala players Mohammed Rafi and N.P Pradeep is travelling to France to train with Bordeaux.
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IMG – Reliance the marketing partner of All India Football Federation has started re-laying the football pitch at Delhi Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium. Once the re-laying is over the pitch will be of International standards. The practice pitch at the stadium is also being refurbished.
It is understood that IMG – Reliance has sought the help of Grogory Gillin, former Wembley stadium expert and current director Venue Operations Pt Ltd, Singapore for the refurbishment exercise.
The main pitch will be of international standards with aerated turf and over seeded by RYE Grass imported from USA. The stadiums at other cities such as Kochi, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai, Pune and Goa will also refurbished based on Gillin’s recommendations.
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Reports are coming through that Louis Saha former Manchester United and France forward has been signed by IMG – Reliance. He is the first marquee player signed by IMG – Reliance for their upcoming IPL- Style league.
There names of seven other marquee players will be revealed in the days to come.
According to reports Guwahati in Assam is confirmed to host the proposed IPL Style IMG – Reliance football League.
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium- Guwahati.
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Guwahati and Hyderabad were optional venues with one of them to be selected eventually for the tourney. With IMG – Reliance and Sports Authority of Assam (SAA) signing an MOU on 17th October, it is confirmed that the league will be played in Guwahati.
It is understood that according to the MOU, the city will host seven matches of the proposed league, RS 2 lakh will be the rent for the infrastructure per match and a per day rent of Rs 60,000 will be paid by IMG – Reliance.
As part of the renovation of the stadium, new floodlights will be installed which will enable high quality telecast of the matches. The turf work is also expected to commence soon to prepare the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Guwahati for the league.
Today it got confirmed that Indian goal keeper Subrata Paul and defender Gourmangi Singh will be traveling to Denmark for a two month long trial with Danish Premier League club FC Vestsjaelland.
Reports now suggests that IMG – Reliance is in talks with European clubs to arrange exposure trips for their other contracted players. IMG – Reliance would be keenly looking for opportunities for their contracted players as they are all currently cooling heels without playing time. 50 players contracted to them have missed out on the ongoing I-league as IMG – Reliance could not reach and agreement with I-league clubs.
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As we reported earlier, the auctions for franchises were pushed to October end, but IMG – Reliance seems to be quietly building up their plans for the proposed IPL – style football league.
The latest buzz in the advertisement industry is that IMG – Reliance is looking for a creative partner for their league. Agencies such as McCann Erickson, Leo Burnett and Ogilvy are in the fray.
McCann Erickson currently holds the creative duties of the Reliance owned IPL team Mumbai Indians. In the coming days, it will be more clear who will be offered the creative duties for the proposed IPL Style football League.
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Reports suggest that the auctions for the IMG – Reliance IPL style league would be held by October end. The tournament modeled on Indian Premier League, will have eight franchises across the country.
Two auctions, one for the franchisees and the other for players will be held at the end of October. The tournament will be held between January 18 and March 30 of the next year. Supposedly 20 corporates have expressed their interest in franchises.
Every franchise will have 10 foreign players including a marquee player, 7 Indians and 4 U-21 players in their roster. IMG – Reliance have shortlisted nine cities across India – Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai and Kochi, out of which one will be dropped later.
Reports also suggest that after numerous rounds of discussion with the I-league clubs, both parties have agreed upon a middle ground.
Read more : Indian football auctions to be held soon