Nita Ambani – Football News India

Indian Super League partners with English Premier League

June 22, 2014 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

According 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.”

IMG – Reliance Cuts Deal with Star India

October 21, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

IMG - Reliance, IPL, Football, Delhi, Stadium, League

Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/

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.

Nita Ambani of Reliance Plans Foray into Football in a big way

October 10, 2013 footballnewsindia Leave a comment

Image Courtesy : http://www.indiacsr.in

In an interview with DNA news paper where Nita Ambani of Reliance group was asked if excessive importance given to cricket is hampering other sports such as football, basket ball and sorts in India, her answer was as follows :

In fact, we are planning to enter the world of football in a big way. That is next on our agenda. We want to promote football in a big way. Next year will see a lot of action on that front. We will get coaches from abroad and conduct training camps here. Just as we have Mumbai Indians, we plans to have our own team. The game is very popular in Goa, Kerala and West Bengal. We want to popularise this great game all over the country. There is no much of talent in our country. We are still working out the details. But we will have a game plan in place soon. Football will get a huge boost across the country. It is a great team game. We are also looking at promoting basketball. In fact, we want the sports culture to prevail all over the country. The talent reserve in our country is huge. Schools can play a major role in this. I want every child in India to have an opportunity to take part in sports.

Source for the above quote : http://www.dnaindia.com/