Indian Super League- News, Updates, etc.

[Basil]

U-23 national team to miss part of Indian Super League​

New Delhi: The much touted Indian Super League (ISL) will be without top Indian Under-23 footballers for a brief period while the senior team stars too will miss out on some of the matches due to national duty. The pro league is scheduled to kick off September 19 and the dates are clashing with FIFA friendlies and also the Asian Games.

The top U-23 players may not be able to play the first half of the ISL as the dates are clashing with the Incheon Asian Games, also starting September 19. The league rules make it mandatory for each club to recruit at least four U-23 players from the catchment area but all the top players will be busy with Asian Games preparations right from July.

To make matters worse, there are nine FIFA dates for friendlies in September-November and India coach Wim Koevermans is keen on playing as many matches as the All India Football Federation could arrange for. Playing these matches will mean garnering some crucial ranking points.

"There are no problems. The ISL and IMG-R understand that the U-23 players will be away on national duty for a brief time. As for the international friendlies, the senior team players will be released for maximum two or three friendlies," AIFF vice president Subrata Dutta told reporters on the sidelines of the fifth AFC Football Medical Conference here Saturday.

"Yes there are nine FIFA dates in that period but the national team cannot play on all dates, financially it's not possible. So some players might miss out on one or two ISL matches, that's all and the organisers of the tournament know this," Shubhankar Mukherjee, Director, National Teams said.

The U-23 team will be busy with a series of training camps starting from July. The Indian team will have a conditioning camp in Bangalore before leaving for training in either Spain or China. Then team after a brief stay at home will fly out to South Korea well in advance to get acclimatised.

That means the ISL teams will be without top national U-23 players in their preparatory camps. Even if the teams recruit the U-23 players before India selectors pick the squad, they will not be training with them.

U-23 national team to miss part of Indian Super League - IBNLive​

 

[IndiaN]

 

[Basil]

Kolkata franchise of ISL to be launched on May 7​

NEW DELHI: Kolkata franchise of the much-anticipated Indian Super League will be launched in Kolkata on May 7 in the presence of top officials of the Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

Key officials from the top Spanish Club Atletico De Madrid, also one of the co-owners of the franchise, will be in Kolkata for its launch announcement.

Atletico de Madrid owner Miguel Angel Marin, Advisor Peter Kenyon, Director of Marketing Emilio Gutierrez and Director of Grassroots and Head of Atletico Academy Carlos Aguilera Martin will be on a whirlwind tour to India.

The Kolkata franchise is the only one to have the backing of a prominent international football club.

Apart from the announcement, their itinerary also includes meetings with legendary footballers Pradip Kumar Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and Syed Nayeemuddin.

A short city tour to soak in Kolkata's heritage and culture is also scheduled with visits to the historic Victoria Memorial, Salt Lake Stadium and Mother's House.

The Kolkata franchisee has four Kolkata based members which include former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group Sanjiv Goenka and chairman of Smifs Capital Markets Ltd. Utsav Parekh.

Kolkata franchise of ISL to be launched on May 7 - The Times of India​

 

[Basil]

Kolkata's ISL franchise christened Atletico de Kolkata​

Kolkata: The Kolkata franchise of the much-anticipated Indian Super League was on Wednesday christened Atletico de Kolkata, taking a cue from their Spanish co-owners and UEFA Champions League finalist Atletico de Madrid.

Owner and CEO of the Champions League finalist Miguel Angel Gil Marin along with his city based co-owners former India captain Sourav Ganguly, industrialists Harsh Neotia, Sanjiv Goenka and Utsav Parekh unveiled the team but said they were yet to finalise the jersey as it has to get an approval of the ISL.

There's also a proposal to get the Atletico Madrid squad to play a friendly match here once the city team is formed. "We are also looking for a pre-season training in Madrid for the Kolkata franchise," Neotia said. Also unveiling the name of the consortium as the Kolkata Games and Sports Private Limited, the five partners pledged to take Indian football to the next level.

"Atletico breathes football, lives around football. It's a great idea to expand our brand and reach a new market. India are China are huge markets. Atletico also collaborates in different countries through Alteitco de Madrid foundation. We will try to support many kids who want to develop football.

"We are trying two different ways, one through academy and another side through the franchise and play professional football," Miguel said handing over an official La Liga football with autographs of the team members. The Atletico officials also handed each of the four city owners their official Atletico Madrid jerseies with their respective names but a common number of 19 -- which belongs to their most popular player and captain Diego Costa.

"It will be a proud moment for us if we can take the Indian football to where it belongs. It will be a great moment for us if one day a Kolkata footballer is able to represent Atletico Madrid. We are planning to build an academy here and give them a window of an opportunity," Ignacio Aguillo, director of coprorate development at Atletico, said.

Ganguly said, "Our club will try and bring together the best talent to form a team with the driving thought of 'playing to win'. Kolkata has been central to football in our country and our objective is to ensure that we re-gain the position. "This time round, the difference will be to give football audiences a level of play which is par international and creates a pride and passion similar to what we see for global leagues and tournaments."

Asked why they chose to invest in a country whose ranking hovers around 150 and FIFA had termed them a 'sleeping giant', Aguillo said: "You have a massive population and if you combine that with passion and discipline, you are bound to have results. We have seen that in many countries."

Giving example of world champions Spain, he said: "They don't have population but they have achieved with the right infrastructure and discipline. There is no reason why India can't live up to its true potential. It's numbers game at the end of the day."

Terming this a new beginning, former India captain Ganguly said: "We all grew up kicking a football. I'm sure it's same with a lot of kids in the state. It's a beginning of something different, give a push to the city. This will revolutionise football in this part of the world.

"We always had the passion but did not have the talent to match the passion for the game. I thank Atletico Madrid to be a part of us. We hope they liked the city at first sight." Ganguly further wished Atletico all the best for the Champions League final and the Spanish League in which they're leading the table.

"I also congratulate them for the wonderful season they had. They have a very very important month in front of them. From all of us and, the entire Kolkata wants you do well. "We want them to be champions so that we start the season saying we're already champions. Good luck for that. we are extremely proud to have you with us."

Asked how he sees the intiative vis-a-vis the hugely popular IPL in cricket, Ganguly said: "We don't want to compete. We just want to play. We want to bring football to Kolkata. Kolkata is the place for football besides Kerala and Goa. We want cricket to be as popular as it is but at the same time we want to develop football as well.

"I don't think two popular things can't go together. The standard of football has to be good and I am sure popularity will follow," Ganguly said.

Briefing about their discussions, Neotia said the members said they were okay with the infrastructure in Saltlake Stadium and Barasat Stadium on the northern outskirts. "They feel the foundation is appropriate to to build on the stadium. we should not have any difficulty in hosting any match in the present infrastructure."

"We hope to get support from state government. But with elections, we are yet to talk to the state government."

"On coach, our desire is that the main coach be from Atletico, but we need an approval of ISL. If they approve then there would be a second coach from India with working experience in our country. We have met some people, discussions are going on."

"We are seeking clarity on players. The Spanish team will be happy to provide players if FIFA and ISL approve of it. We have requested Atletico.

Kolkata's ISL franchise christened Atletico de Kolkata - IBNLive​

 

[Basil]

Mohun Bagan to release players for Indian Super League​

Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan have confirmed that they will be releasing players for the Indian Super League (ISL).

They will start the pre-season preparations under technical director Subhash Bhowmick on June 9 but the club have reached an agreement with IMG-Reliance to release some of their players for the much-awaited ISL.

“Our training for the new season will start on 9th June. We are right now fully focused on team building. However, we have taken a decision that we will be releasing some of our players for the Indian Super League,” assistant general secretary Srinjoy Bose was quoted saying.

Sportskeeda learnt that around six members of Mohun Bagan’s current squad could be featuring in the ISL. East Bengal reportedly are also ready to release their players for the 10-week tournament but they are yet to make an official announcement.

Mohun Bagan are expected to have a pre-season camp outside Kolkata but the venue is yet to be decided. They will be appointing an AFC a license head coach to assist Bhowmick and are confident that the three-time I-League winning technical director will get a certificate of competence from AFC so that he is allowed to coach the team despite not having a licence.

Bhowmick is the club’s ninth different coaching appointment since February 2010 and the green-and-maroon brigade have been trophyless for the last four seasons.

The Mariners are also looking to sign a marquee foreigner as per the I-League criteria with former Australia World Cupper Archie Thompson being one of the names that they have been linked with.

 

[Basil]

Sachin Tendulkar names his football team 'Kerala Blasters' ​

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The Kochi team for the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, co-owned by cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has been named 'Kerala Blasters'.

The name was announced by state chief minister Oommen Chandy after his brief meeting with Tendulkar here today. Tendulkar also accepted Chandy's request to be Goodwill Ambassador of the National Games, to be held in Kerala in January-February 2015.

Tendulkar, who was given a rousing reception at the airport and government secretariat, also called on Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, seeking support in his efforts to promote football.

After meeting Chandy in his chamber, a beaming Tendulkar said he was "overwhelmed and speechless" at the love and affection showered on him by Keralites. On the team's name, he said: "People call me Master Blaster... One can say there is possibly an association." Tendulkar said though he grew up playing cricket, not many know that he enjoyed other sports as well.

"I grew up playing cricket... Very few people knew that I enjoy other sports like hockey, football and badminton." He said the Indian Super League would definitely give a boost to football in the country. Tendulkar said that as a Rajya Sabha member, he had submitted to the Human Resources Development Ministry his "vision" on promotion of sports and would continue to pursue that.

"With collective and positive efforts we are sure the results will be good." He said media support for promotion of sports was very important. Tendulkar took the state government's request for being Goodwill Ambassador for the National Games as a "huge honour". "I am very happy to be part of this and for promotion of sports," he said.

Chandy thanked Tendulkar for accepting the state's request in this regard. The CM said the team owners had offered to impart training in football to 1.25 lakh students in the state. After meeting Chandy, Tendulkar went to Achuthanandan's official residence and presented him a jerried shawl, a gesture reciprocated by the nonagenarian leader.

"Sachin is an icon of cricket not only in India but the world over and it is a great thing that he is now supporting football," Achuthanandan said. Tendulkar said he was extremely delighted to meet Achuthanandan and his support and goodwill meant a lot for the Indian Super League Football. Tendulkar and team co-owner Prasad Potlury, a Hyderabad based entrepreneur, left for Kochi in the afternoon.

When he arrived in the government secretariat, a large number of people, including the staff, gathered to have a glance. Though brief, the event turned out to be a spontaneous one within the secretariat premises.

Sachin Tendulkar names his football team Kerala Blasters | Firstpost​

 

[Elysian]

North East United FC: John Abraham's ISL Guwahati franchise​

Actor John Abraham, co-owner of Guwahati franchise for the upcoming Indian Super League, on Tuesday announced the name of his team as 'North East United FC', which is under discussion with four overseas clubs to have a "strategic alliance" for the much-anticipated tournament.

"I always had a fascination for football and North East. When ISL process started, we decided to have the team Guwahati or else we would have stayed away. By naming the team after the entire region, we want to project the eight states as a force to reckon with in Indian football," Abraham said.

Addressing a press conference here, the Bollywood star said he will try his best to keep the franchise as the "purest football team".

When asked about association with foreign clubs, Abraham said: "Many foreign clubs expressed interest in co-owning the team, but we do not want to dilute our stake. However, we are interested to have strategic alliance with some of them.

"At present, we are having discussions with four different foreign clubs to have an alliance. In the next couple of weeks, we will announce it. The first step of this will be to finalise the colour of the jersey."

He, however, declined to mention the name of the clubs. On player selection, Abraham said North East United Football Club will have four foreign players from another co-owner's club, Shillong Lajong FC, while the rest will be Indian footballers.

On keeping his team as well as the ISL a controversy free event unlike the IPL, Abraham said: "The first important issue is betting and we all are against it. We have spoken to the players and they have understood our point. We have to keep football absolutely clean."

The actor said ISL has laid down guidelines prohibiting anyone unrelated to the event coming closer to the teams during their practice sessions as well as to dressing rooms.

Talking about the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Abraham said his favourite team is Brazil, which plays the game in "motion" and termed it as "poetry as motion".

The next strong team, according to Abraham, is Argentina and hoped that Lionel Andres Messi will mesmerize the world.

"German team is one of the youngest and is very energetic. Nobody can count out Spain as well. Belgium is the underdog this time," he added.

North East United FC-TOI

 

[Basil]

Former England goalkeeper David James to participate in ISL


Former England World Cupper David James has expressed his desire to participate in the upcoming Indian Super League.

This has been made possible due to a tie up between Anglian Holdings and Legion Football Advisory, the representatives of James. Legion Football Advisory is the leading football advisory firm based in the UK having worked with The FA, as well as clubs like Manchester United FC, Manchester City FC, Liverpool FC, and Fulham FC.

They have represented over 100 professional players including Phil Jones, Theo Walcott, Fabrice Muamba, Ryan Bertrand, and David James. They have also worked with world-renowned coaches and technical directors such as ex-England national team coach Steve McClaren and Eduardo Macia of AS Fiorentina.

The press release states that under the partnership, Anglian, who are also the co-owners of the Guwahati ISL franchise, and Legion will work together to help advice ISL and I-League clubs as well as work with players, coaches, organizational staff and other business entities that happen to be involved in the sport.

Besides featuring in the ISL, James wants to help build up Indian football by providing his expertise and knowledge to current national team players as well as to up-and-coming goalkeepers.

The former goalkeeper certainly qualifies as a marquee foreigner but it remains to be seen which ISL franchise he plays for as there is interest outside the Guwahati franchise also.

Dhruv Ratra, CEO, Anglian Holdings says, “We have been working towards the development of Indian football by creating a pipeline for exchange of talent between India and Europe and are very excited regarding this new initiative with Legion which we hope will infuse European Footballing expertise into India. Legion has a proven track-record in working with multiple organizations and people to raise the standard of the sport, first in the UK and then across Europe. Their inside knowledge of the sport from youth to the professional game as well as their established relationships will prove invaluable to clubs and players in India, which are only just starting to professionalize operations.”

Colin Gordon, Director of Legion, had this to say: “We are very proud and happy with our new partnership with Anglian. Having been intimately connected with the recent revolution and professionalization of the sport in the UK over the past 20 years and then in Europe, we are excited to put our experiences to good use in a country such as India which is on the cusp of reaching a new level.

Fellow Director, John Colquhoun added, ‘With the I-League going from strength to strength, the new and exciting ISL set to begin later this year, and the Under 17 World Cup coming to the country in 2017, India is poised to improve its game significantly over the next few years. In Anglian we found the perfect partner to achieve our goals of connecting and working with Indian entities who are committed to the success of the sport.”


Former England goalkeeper David James to participate in ISL | Sportskeeda

 

[Basil]

ISL Kolkata franchise to unveil team on July 7

They were the first team to unveil Atletico de Kolkata among the eight ISL franchises, and now the newest city outfit is all set to announce the name of their marquee player and manager here on July 7.

The team partners -- Atletico Madrid -- are finalising the deal with a top European player and manager to fill up the two top positions, while they are also in the process of roping in two of the seven international players before the June 30 deadline.

The team's unveiling will take place in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and it is also learnt that top officials of the Spanish giants including coach Diego Simeone could be present on the occasion.

"I was supposed to go to the World Cup in Brazil but now we have to finalised our team unveiling on July 7," stock broker Utsav Parekh, who is one of the five co-owners of Atletico de Kolkata, told PTI.

He, however, refused to divulge any name as the discussions were still on with top European footballers to meet the deadline for the IMG-Reliance backed tournament.

"The negotiations are on and we have shortlisted a few names from the European football. We'll be able to finalise them by next week to meet the deadline. We'll also unveil the team's jersey on July 7," he said.

The state government has already promised full support to the ISL franchise, which will have Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan as its home venue.

"We have met the Chief Minister and are getting full support. She will be there during the team unveiling," Parekh said.


ISL Kolkata franchise to unveil team on July 7 | Business Standard News

 

[Basil]

Habas to be named Marque manager of Atletico de Kolkata

Retired Spanish defender Antonio Lopez Habas is all set to be named the marquee manager, while former Real Madrid midfielder Borja Fernandez will be one of the two foreigners of the Atletico de Kolkata in the upcoming Indian Super League.

57-year-old Habas, who has more than 20 years of coaching experience in about 16 clubs, mostly in Spain, will take charge in the ceremonial launch of the Kolkata franchise by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tomorrow, a source in the team said.

The function at the state secretariat, Nabanna, in the afternoon will announce their two foreign recruits besides their marquee manager and player.

"Habas will be here along with the marquee player. The chief minister will also unveil their team logo and jersey," the source told PTI.

Habas played in 48 La Liga matches including eight for Sevilla in four seasons but he spent most of his playing career with second division club Real Murcia before hanging his boots at Atletico Madrid where he did not feature in any official game.

33-year-old Borja, on the other hand, has announced his Indian adventure leaving Getafe in his official Twitter handle @BorjaFF, his first move overseas.

"After 13 years in Spain, I've decided to take a break and experience an adventure abroad... Indian Super League: Atletico Madrid Kolkata," reads the English translation of his tweet in Spanish.

"Thanks to the teams who tempted me to have another season in Spain, but I may not have this opportunity again," he added.


Habas to be named Marque manager of Atletico de Kolkata | Business Standard News