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Tag: Hero Indian Super League

  • FC Goa announces partners for ISL

    FC Goa announces partners for ISL

    MUMBAI: The Hero Indian Super League franchise FC Goa announced that it has signed on six leading brands from various industry verticals as sponsors and partners for the team.

     

    Joining Videocon d2h as FC Goa’s principal sponsor is Usha International. Ponds, Gardre Marine and Kenstar have partnered with FC Goa as associate sponsors.

     

    A few days ago, the official kit sponsor for the team, Adidas unveiled the Adidas team kit at the launch of the team. While Wockhardt Hospitals is the official medical partner, Big FM will be the official radio partner and The Navhind Times, the official print partners.

     

    Speaking on the brands coming on board, the promoters of the team said, “Leading brands from various industry verticals have partnered with FC Goa and have placed their faith in the team. We are happy to have them onboard.”

     

    Owned by Dempo Group of Companies chairman Shrinivas Dempo, VM Salgaocar and Brothers managing director Dattaraj V Salgaocar, Videocon Group chairman Venugopal Dhoot and cricketer Virat Kohli, FC Goa is will play their first ISL match against Chennaiyans FC. The match will begin at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao on 15 October 2014.

  • Muthoot Group unveils The Muthoot Group Fair Play Award trophy

    Muthoot Group unveils The Muthoot Group Fair Play Award trophy

    MUMBAI: The Muthoot Group, the official referee and fair play award sponsor at the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) has unveiled The Muthoot Group Fair Play Award.  Standing at a height of two feet and designed in the shape of a gold-coloured whistle, the trophy embodies the symbol of ‘Fair Play’.

    This trophy will be given to the team who earns the maximum Fair Play points at the end of the football league.
     
    Speaking on the occasion, The Muthoot Group AGM marketing Avinav Chaubey said, “Our decision to partner with the Hero ISL goes beyond business as ‘fair play’ reflects the innate values of our brand and the game. We believe that the concept of fair play extends beyond the game and has resonance and applicability in an individual’s day to day life. Thus, this season and in the continuing years, we aim to highlight the game and the concept of ‘fair play’, as we believe that this sport has the potential to grow and become ‘a global football power’ in the coming years in India. Our association with the tournament will also allow us to build the referees as brand advocates and ambassadors of fair play.”
     
    Speaking about the partnership, All India Football Federation (AIFF) director Col. Gautam Kar said, “We are glad that The Muthoot Group has made a commitment to support the first ever season of Hero ISL as the Official Referee and Fair Play Awards Sponsor. We are extremely proud of our association with the company and are confident that The Muthoot Group’s support will encourage players to live up to the values of the game of football.”
     
    The much awaited ten-week football league will conclude on 20 December 2014 and will feature international and Indian players, with eight teams playing 61 matches in eight cities across the country.

     

  • Hero Indian Super League to kick off at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata

    Hero Indian Super League to kick off at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata

    MUMBAI: Atletico de Kolkata will take on Mumbai City FC in the opening game of the Hero Indian Super League’s first season at the historic Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday 12 October 2014.

      

    All games will be played at 7 pm, including the semi-finals and finals. On days of double headers, i.e 9 and 10 December 2014, the first game will start at 5 pm followed by 7 pm game.

     

    Delhi Dynamos FC will host the League’s second game when they play FC Pune City on 13 October 2014. The action will move to Guwahati on 15 October 2014 for the home match of NorthEast United FC against Kerala Blasters FC and then to Goa next day for FC Goa’s game against Club Chennai.

     

    The maximum city Mumbai will see the first Hero ISL action on 17th October 2014 when Mumbai City FC will take on FC Pune City at DY Patil Stadium, New Mumbai. Club Chennai, FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters FC will host their first home matches on 19 October, 22 October and 27 October 2014, respectively.

     

    The semi-finals will start from 13 December 2014 with top four clubs qualifying for the knock-out stage to be played in a two-legged format with the winners moving onto the final.

     

    The Hero Indian Super League final would be played at a neutral venue on Saturday, December 20, 2014.

     

    IMG-Reliance and Star India who are the promoters of the League, today announced the fixtures for the much-anticipated inaugural edition, featuring eight clubs, 61 games spread across 70 days. The League stage will witness 56 games on home and away format, followed by a two-legged semi-finals and the final scheduled for 20th December 2014.

  • Ranbir Kapoor officially launches Mumbai City Football Club

    Ranbir Kapoor officially launches Mumbai City Football Club

    MUMBAI: India’s metropolitan city Mumbai which is home to some of India’s greatest sporting talents has finally got its own football club for the upcoming Hero Indian Super League-Mumbai City Football Club.

     

    Team owners Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh along with IMG-Reliance chairperson Nita Ambani and yesteryear actor Rishi Kapoor unveiled the logo of the new team and spoke about the teams’ grassroots programme. Mumbai’s D.Y Patil Stadium has been declared as the team’s home stadium.

     

    Explaining the new blue and white designed logo for the team, Ranbir Kapoor, who is the co-owner of the Club said, “A resilient fortress surrounding the logo signifies the determined spirit of the city. The seven stars symbolise the islands that form Mumbai. The trains meanwhile stand for the pulsating, beating a staccato rhythm and the vast distance these trains connect. They are the lifeline of the city.”

     

    He further added, “I couldn’t have asked for a better franchise to co-own.  It is the city I have grown up in and the city I love. This team will celebrate our unwavering spirit and like the city, fulfill the dreams of players and football fans.”

     

    When questioned if he will just be a face for the team or an active participant, the self proclaimed Barcelona fan said that he had financially invested in the team and was very passionate about football since he was 10-11 years old.

     

    Chartered Accountant and co-owner Bimal Parekh while speaking to indiantelevision.com said that he will be looking after the financial and administration aspect of the team, while his other co-owner Kapoor, would help in developing and promoting the team. “Our roles are clear cut and well defined,” he added.

     

    Parekh promises that his team will play a possession based free flowing brand of football while being technically sound, fast and tactically aware.

     

    The team has already devised its plan to reach out to the young fans at the grassroots level. Said the team’s technical director Nishant Mehra, “We have roped in around 100 schools to be a part of the developmental programme where we plan to target the age group of six to 10 years.”

     

     Commenting on the grassroots activation, IMG-Reliance chairperson Nita Ambani said, “The real excitement for the Hero ISL is the Young Champs programme, through which we will reach out to a number of schools.”

     

     A lot of emphasis is being laid on the grassroots programme, as it is understood that each of the teams are contractually bound to shell out approximately Rs 2 crore annually as part of developing the game in their respective team areas.

     

     

  • Football God Del Piero Chooses India, Joins Delhi Dynamos

    Football God Del Piero Chooses India, Joins Delhi Dynamos

    MUMBAI: Delhi Dynamos FC, the national capital’s Football Team for the Hero Indian Super League, has signed up Italian football superstar Alessandro del Piero as its marquee player.

    The 39-year-old Italian who has won almost every tournament he has played in for club and country, needs no introduction. Some of his top achievements over 2 illustrious decades include:

    • Won 8 Serie A titles, the Champions League & Intercontinental Cup with Juventus; he played for Juventus since 1993 and was captain from 2001 until 2012.

    • Led Italy to their FIFA World Cup win in 2006, scoring in the semifinal, and then in the penalty shootout in the final

    • Golden Boot (top scorer): UEFA Champions League (1995-96, 1997-98), Serie A (2007-08)

    • 2nd player to participate in 7 major tournaments for Italy (EURO 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and World Cup 1998, 2002, 2006)

    • Won 2 European Championships as part of Italy’s U-21squad

    • Won a total of 23 trophies

    Alessandro del Piero, also nicknamed “Il Fenomeno Vero” or The Real Phenomenon, is the 10thAll-time Top Scorer in the Champions League and been featured in FIFA 100, a list of the top greatest living footballers compiled by Pele. Having played alongside some great teammates like Gianluigi Buffon & Zinedine Zidane, del Piero has always managed to stand out. Footballing legend Maradona once said, “He (del Peiro) is different to Zinedine Zidane. He likes to play, he feels it in his soul. Between him and the Frenchman, I choose him”

    The Italian great played for Sydney FC for the last two seasons and is credited for putting the A-league (theAustralian League) onto the world stage and inspiring a new generation of football players in that country. The Free-kick King won Sydney FC Player of the Year Award &Sydney FC Golden Boot in 2013 and also scored the A-League goal of the season for 2012–2013.

    After del Piero entered the A-league, there was an immediate positive impact on attendance, membership, TV ratings and corporate support for the club and the league. With Alessandro del Piero’s induction into Delhi Dynamos FC, the club representing India’s national capital is hoping for an encore and expects his presence to galvanize football fans across the country and put a nationwide spotlight on Indian domestic football.

    Commenting on his move to Delhi Dynamos, Alessandro del Piero said, “It’s really exciting to be coming to India and playing for the capital of the country. I am thoroughly looking forward to training with my teammates and work together with the coach and the club and I hope to encourage the people of Delhi to follow our games! My passion has always been to play good football and I think I can definitely identify with my team’s philosophy of playing an attacking & attractive game. It is always amazing to visit new countries but I have a feeling India is going to be a really special part of my journey. See you soon, India…Thok Denge!”

    Sameer Manchanda, Passionate Football Fan, Chairman & Managing Director of DEN Networks, said: “We are very excited with the signing of Alessandro del Piero, a true football legend and a giant of the game. His coming to India is a path breaking moment for football in the country. Alessandro has been an inspirational member in every team that he has played for and his presence in the Delhi Dynamos will drive the entire squad to strive for even greater glory. We are sure that he will fire up the imagination of millions of Indian kids and make football a religion in India”

  • Hero Indian Super League ushers in football revolution

    Hero Indian Super League ushers in football revolution

    MUMBAI: The most anxiously awaited Hero Indian Super League (ISL) finally unveiled its official emblem at a grand event attended by the organisers and franchise team owners. The league also saw the unveiling of its official line- ‘Let’s Football.’

     

    At the beginning, IMG Reliance chairperson Nita Ambani said, “ISL hopes to act as a foundation in creating an ecosystem to nurture talent and make our own national football heroes.” She also added that the Reliance Foundation plans to reach out to 10 lakh kids in India for the first year to help them play the game of football at the micro level.

     

    ‘Let’s Football’ – is an apt fit to its ambition in connecting with today’s youth and creating interest in millions to play the sport professionally. The emblem with hexagons combined to form a football symbolises collaboration of passion, energy and enthusiasm among its stakeholders. Colours chosen to represent the league conveys the values and emotions, with red signifying the energy, passion and action, while blue exudes confidence, trust and responsibility; both seamlessly combining to represent the league’s values.

     

    Star India COO Sanjay Gupta commented, “This is the birth of a footballing nation. This is something that has never been attempted before and marks a historic turning point for the future of football in India. What you will experience is a world class spectacle-in stadium, on television, on your mobile screen and across all digital devices.”

     

    “We plan to attract and nurture the best of Indian talent to play with marquee players selected from 20 countries, spanning five continents,” added Gupta.

     

    The event began with Nita Ambani leading the eight league partners to sign a pledge- committing to the vision of ISL, which is to bring a football revolution across the country.

     

    IMG football vice president Andy Knee said, “The potential for football in India is truly immense and the ambition for the league is to spark a revolution for the game so as to encourage teenagers, even hundreds of millions of Indians to start playing, following and watching the sport.”

     

    Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan was declared as the new team owner of the Chennai franchise. Joining him were other owners like Sachin Tendulkar, John Abraham, Ranbir Kapoor, Sameer Manchanda, Utsav Parekh, Kapil Wadhawan, Team Goa ambassador Varun Dhawan among others like AIFF president Praful Patel.

     

    Each of the teams said that they would help develop football at the grass root level, the announcements of which will be made in the weeks to come.

     

    Scheduled to kick off on 12 October 2014, the Hero Indian Super League will see some of the greatest players in action from the world of football.