If there is any news that would delight the Indian football fan, it is that their country is making attempts to popularise the game in India. The much heralded Indian Super League (ISL), a high-profile football tournament on the lines of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament is set to receive added backing from some of the who’s who in India. What is even more exciting is that some of Europe’s biggest clubs may have a delegation on Indian shores during the event, something which will add fuel to this fire.
Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is interested in bidding for one of the franchisees in the ISL which may include a tie up with Spanish club FC Barcelona. Abhishek Bachchan who is an ardent fan of Premier League club Chelsea is also rumoured to be working with the Londoners to showcase their presence in India.
Times of India had reported on March 29th, 2014 on former cricketer Sourav Ganguly’s joint bid for the Kolkata franchise along with La Liga club Atletico Madrid in addition to I-League club Shillong Lajong bidding with John Abraham for Guwahati and PVP Ventures,along with Tendulkar, bidding for Kochi.
Two Indian cricket legends, five Bollywood celebrities,four I-League clubs,five corporate entities,the former head of a leading movie production house and a media conglomerate from south have lined up through various consortiums to bid for eight franchises of the Indian Super League (ISL).
The details of these consortiums and the identities of the interested parties would be revealed in a few days time onc ehtie bid documents have been approved. Actors Ranbir Kapoor,Abhishek Bachchan,Shah Rukh Khan,Salman Khan and John Abraham are learnt to have submitted their respective bids alongside former cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.
Among the corporate entities,Videocon,the GMR Group,PVP Ventures, Samir Manchanda of DEN Networks, Kolkata-based businessman Harsh Neotia and Mumbai-based Dewan Housing are in the fray and the only media group is the south-based Sun Network.
Among others joining that list,Salman is learnt to have put in his bid with Dewan Housing for Pune whereas I-League club Dempo have bid for the Goa team along with consumer goods giant Videocon and Goa-based businessman Raj Salgaocar and Rendezvous Sports World Pvt Ltd have attempted to buy a team along with Bengal-based I-League club Mohun Bagan. Shah Rukh Khans Red Chillies Entertainment,Ranbir Kapoor,the Bachchans,DEN Networks,GMR Group,Sun Network and Mumbai-based I-League club Mumbai FC have also submitted individual bids among others.
