Hero MotoCorp to be the title sponsor of ISL

Hero Motorcorp, ISL, Indian Super League, Sponsor, Title, Hero Indian Super League, Football, Soccer, IMG, Reliance, IMG-Reliance, Soccer

Hero MotoCorp Ltd has signed a three-year deal to be the Title Sponsor of the Indian Super League – the first-of-its-kind franchise-based football league in the country. With this sponsorship, the much-awaited new football league, promoted by IMG-Reliance and Star India, will be called the ‘Hero Indian Super League’.

According to a PTI report, Pawan Munjal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hero MotoCorp Ltd, said:

“Football is not just the world’s most popular game, it has today become a phenomenon sweeping across continents.

“I witnessed this myself while moving from one Brazilian city to another to watch the games at the recent World Cup. Like every other part of the world, India is also in the grip of this magic called football as millions of youngsters across the country are taking to the game with enthusiasm,” he said.

“The Indian Super League, therefore, is a timely initiative, and we are delighted to be partners in this journey for the common goal of promoting football in the country. As the title sponsor of the league, we are happy to being catalysts in bringing in much-needed professionalism and promote the game at the grass roots level to help identify and promote local talent,”

Star India CEO Uday Shankar, was also quoted in the report :

“The Hero name brings with it credibility, commitment and passion to the cause of sports. I am deeply pleased because Hero and Pawan Munjal are true ambassadors of sports with a commitment that goes beyond sponsorship. It is great to see them take centre-forward position to support ISL and the future of Indian football.”

Dutch Coach for Delhi Dynamos?

As we reported earlier,

The Delhi franchise of the upcoming Indian Super League, Delhi Dynamos was unveiled today.  They unveiled the team name, the team philosophy, anthem and the Delhi Dynamos’ alliance with Feyenoord Rotterdam at an event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the home stadium of the Dynamos. There was no announcements regarding the coach or players.Delhi, Delhi Dynamos, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, IMG-Reliance, Football, India, Indianfootball, Den Networks,  sameer manchanda

Harm van Veldhoven, Delhi, Delhi Dynamos, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, IMG-Reliance, Football, India, IndianfootballNow the Dutch media is abuzz that Harm van Veldhoven a Dutch-Belgian coach whose last stint was with KV Mechelen, a team in the top tier Belgian league. Earlier Danish media had reported that forwards Morten Skoubo & Mads Junker will be joining the Delhi ISL franchise. Harm van Veldhoven was associated with these players during their stints with Roda and Mechelen

Marquee Player for Atletico de Kolkata – Former Liverpool Star Luis Garcia

Atletico de Kolkata, Football, India, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, AIFF, Atletico Madrid, Kolkata, Luis Garcia, Liverpool, BarcelonaAtletico de Kolkata, the Kolkata franchise of the upcoming Indian Super League set up with the help of Atletico Madrid has unveiled their Marquee International player for the tournament – Luis Garcia.

Atletico de Kolkata, Football, India, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, AIFF, Atletico Madrid, Kolkata, Luis Garcia, Liverpool, BarcelonaFormer Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool star Luis Garcia  will be donning the colours of  Atletico de Kolkata in ISL.  Garcia recruited by Rafael Benítez at Liverpool club played a crucial role in their title-winning UEFA Champions league campaign in 2005. He last appeared for Pumas de la UNAM, a Mexican professional football club.

Atletico de Kolkata, Football, India, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, AIFF, Atletico Madrid, Kolkata, Luis Garcia, Liverpool, Barcelona

 

As we reported earlier, the Kolkata franchise has also confirmed that Antonio López Habas, a former Spanish footballer with over 20 years of coaching experience will be their marquee coach.  

 

Jose Ramirez Barreto, Brazilian footballer who has had extensive stint in India with various clubs will also be part of the coaching team confirmed the franchise.Atletico de Kolkata, Football, India, ISL, Indian Super League, IMG, Reliance, AIFF, Atletico Madrid, Kolkata, Luis Garcia, Liverpool, Barcelona, Jose Ramirez Baretto, Brazil, Samba

 

 

Indian Super League partners with English Premier League

ISL, Indian Super League, EPL, England, Premier League, Clubs, Richard Scudamore, Britain, Nita Ambani, Reliance, IMG, India, LeagueAccording to a report in PTI today, the upcoming Indian Super League has has entered into a strategic partnership with the English Premier League, the world’s most popular and successful football league, to bring its best practices to India under an exchange programme. 

Through the alliance, Indian Super League will help Premier League and its clubs in staging football matches and assist in other business development initiatives in India.

Here are a few excerpts from the PTI report :

Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, said, “Having earlier this year signed a mutual co-operation agreement with the Asian Football Confederation, we are very pleased to also enter into this partnership with ISL. This will see both organisations work together and share knowledge in several key areas including player development, refereeing, marketing and promotion. 

“We know from our broadcast partner Star India, and our work with AIFF on our long-established grassroots football project Premier Skills that we run in several locations across India, that the popularity of football, and Premier League, is growing. There is a further opportunity to develop the sport as a result of that increased interest and we hope to continue to make a real contribution to all levels of Indian football.” 

IMG-Reliance chairperson Nita Ambani said, “Partnering with Premier League brings credence to ISL and to our vision of popularizing the sport in India. I am confident the tie-up will immensely help in nurturing and establishing ISL with good governance and best practices. The alliance also presents a great opportunity of partnership and cross promotions between the ISL League Partners and Premier League Clubs.” 

Jeff Slack, senior vice-president, IMG, Global Football Development, said, “The ability to leverage the Premier League’s experience in creating a successful league model for both players and fans will be a tremendous value to the Indian Super League as it continues to grow the sport in India.” 

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India said, “The partnership puts belief in our Star’s sports philosophy ‘Believe’. From a game that hobbled about on the fringes of Indian sports, there’s promise that this partnership will lift and reinvigorate football. Through this tie-up, Star India will cross promote coverage of ISL and Premier League to the growing base of Indian football followers.” 

AIFF president Praful Patel said, “The AIFF is extremely pleased to be a part of the strategic partnership between the EPL and ISL. This is an outstanding opportunity for ISL to build from the very best in the business when it comes to running a highly successful league.”

Indian Super League Club Workshop Ongoing

Former french international Olivier Nicolas André Dacourt has posted a picture on twitter where he is addressing Indian Super League Club Workshop. We are inferring that this is a workshop for the teams on managers and player recruitment.

 

IMG in IMG – Reliance Sold Off

IMG, IMG-Reliance, Football, India, Soccer, InternationalInternational Management Group (IMG)  the global sports, entertainment and fashion agency has sold off to competitors William Morris Endeavor (WME) and their financial backer Silver Lake Partners.William-Morris-Endeavor

 

 

IMG – Reliance the Indian version of the management agency caused a stir among the Indian football fans with the now postponed Indian Super League. We will have to wait and see what beholds the Indian Super League now.

Louis Saha Confirms Interest from India

Image Courtesy : http://forzaitalianfootball.com/

Image Courtesy : http://forzaitalianfootball.com/

Before Indian Super League got postponed, a slew of announcements came in about star players that were going to be involved in the league.  Louis Saha, former Manchester United and Everton player was one among them.

Louis Saha has now officially confirmed about the interest from India. In an interview with with http://www.manutd.com, titled Life after United, Saha said the following –

“I like to discover new things. If I could help launch another league, I would be happy to discuss that. At the same time, things have to be clear with me and I will think about it, that is for sure. India is something that would be exotic,”

Kenny Daglish Confirms on Indian Super League but Unsure of the Role

Kenny Daglish, Indian Super League, ISL, India, Football, Soccer, League, IMG - RelianceKenny 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.

IMG – Reliance Appoint Former FIFA Official Ko-Ichiro Kato

Ko-Ichiro Kato, FIFA, Football, Indian Super League, ISL, Indianfootball, SoccerReports 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.

Content Courtesy : PTI

Mumbai Tigers Vying for the Indian Super League

Mumbai Tigers, Dodsal, Football, India, Indianfootball, Mumbai, Soccer, I-leagueMumbai Tigers, the team which withdrew from I-league is looking for a chance to appear in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL).  With the withdrawal from I-league many even feared for the existence of the club. It is heartening to know the team is alive and kicking.

“Top I-League clubs and IMG – Reliance are approaching the club for players. We are hoping that we will be allowed to play in the IMG – Reliance tournament. We are waiting for the management’s decision on the matter,” Paresh Shivalkar of Mumbai Tigers told TOI.

The team is currently participating in Nandakarni Cup in Chembur.

1 2 3