Indian Super League 2018 Brings Two More Football Clubs In Its 4th Edition

While the majority of Indians prefers to watch and play cricket, it is unconventional to write or even follow football. But surprisingly, the Indian Super League is hitting the audience with a great number. And it certainly has a good reason to attract the audience. The fan clubs are owned by Bollywood actors, cricketers, and big business tycoons.

IPL gave them the reason to follow their home teams and get attached to the sport. But this did not decrease their love and craze for famous people like Bollywood celebs, cricketers and business tycoons. They poured their love in large proportions by the following football.

The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) marked their kick on October 12th, 2014, with unrivaled football championship. The inaugural and 3rd edition was won by ATK (Kolkata, West Bengal), while Chennaiyin FC was the winner of the second season.

No doubt, it is a long-term desire to get India back on to the world stage via better football infrastructure, but it is certainly no less than cricket in terms of the entertainment that it provides. With the specialized training of the sport from seasoned professionals from Europe and Latin America, India can quickly garner the due popularity in no time.

This is the 4th Edition of ISL. After the huge success of its previous editions, it is witnessing expanded 5 months duration and number of participating clubs to 10. It currently shares the top spot in the Indian football league system and we hope it soon makes way to the world rankings.

New FCs has a rich history of Football

Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC are the two new sides of the competition. Bengaluru FC is owned by the JSW Group and Jamshedpur FC is owned by Tata Steels. Business tycoons battling in a football ground.

The coming up of JFC (aka Jamshedpur FC) changes the role of Tata Football Club. TFC, established in 1987, is the most successful academy with 135 national football players. Among those 135, 19 players led the national team. At present, TFC has 40 under-19 players. A strong contender.

In short history of Bengaluru FC, it has set new guidelines for fan engagement. Jindal Steel Works own this club, which was formed five years back in 2013. This club has won I-Leagues and the Federation Cup twice. And BFC is the first Indian FC to enter in the finals of continental AFC Cup. Stronger contender!

After these two additions in this ISL, we have personalities from the other sports and from the Bollywood as well. And this is one of the reasons behind the large audience love towards this sport.

Actors Do Have A Role

From Bollywood, we witness Abhishek Bachchan as one of the owners of Chennaiyin FC. John Abraham comes as the only owner of North East United FC. Arjun Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan appear as the partnered owners of the Pune City FC. And to add more to the list, another young actor from Kapoor family, Ranbir Kapoor holds Mumbai City FC.

Cricketers Strike The Ownership Of FCs

This list includes the legend of cricket, MS Dhoni, who accompanies Abhishek Bachchan for Chennaiyin FC. It also has Virat Kohli, boasting the Goa FC, Sourav Ganguly holding the two times winner ATK FC, and Sachin Tendulkar owning Kerala Blasters FC.

Other than these cricketers and actors from Hindi Cinema, we have the big owners of the corporate world too. Tata and Jindals are already in. And we hope Ambanis and Birlas will join the game soon.

ISL has somehow managed to allow the young bud footballers to play the game. Though India does not rule over this game like Kabaddi and Cricket, one day these nascent budding talents would make it possible. What do you think?

#LetsFootball