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    ISL will score a goal, change the way India plays football: Nita Ambani

    Synopsis

    Nita Ambani, chairperson, Football Sports Development, shared her thoughts about why ISL is about more than money and her bets on India playing the 2026 World Cup.

    ET Bureau
    Two years in the making, one of Indian sport's anticipated events is seeing the light of day (or floodlights). The Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament — organised by IMG Reliance and All India Football Federation (AIFF) with some other corporations — is scheduled to begin on October 12 at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.

    On Wednesday, Nita Ambani, founding chairperson, Football Sports Development (a JV between IMG Reliance and a television network), shared her thoughts with ETPanache about why ISL is about more than money and her bets on India playing the 2026 World Cup.

    The interaction took place in the Mexican Room of a city hotel, scene of many a strategic meeting of the Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise owned by Reliance.

    Were you involved in the ISL from the beginning? What is your vision for the league?

    Mukesh and I always believe in the opportunities sports offers to engage the youth's energy. I remember meeting Ted Forstmann (the late IMG CEO) in 2009, where we explored opportunities to work together on sports in India, and that's when we discussed Indian football.

    ISL as a concept emerged in 2012 after our two years of in-depth study of the sport. As a founding chairperson of the Football Sports Development, I would like the ISL to become the foundation to make our own football heroes.

    You have said your understanding of cricket took a serious turn in the second season of the IPL. How sound is your understanding of football with ISL? What are your early memories of it?

    At Dhirubhai Ambani school, I learned some basics of football whenever school kids came back winning a tournament. Both my children, Akash and Isha, are football followers and play the sport.

    Who among your family is the football fanatic — your husband, you, Akash, Isha or Anant? Are they excited about ISL?

    Akash and Isha are complete football fanatics. Just like most fans in India, they too constantly talk about EPL, La Liga or their favourite international clubs. I guess that's where we picked up our clue for the ISL.

    Not just my kids and family, but my entire team is thrilled with the prospect of how the sport can usher change to our nation. I must say here that these are initial years of the League and we are taking baby steps. The journey has just begun and the road ahead is long.

    In his interview recently, Akash revealed that his favourite team is Arsenal and that he "goes crazy" during matches. He also said he is involved with ISL. What are his inputs?

    Football has the power to bind people, especially the youth. Even though most of his time is consumed in the Reliance Jio business, Akash ensures he plays the sport, interacts with the team on a regular basis and shares his views.

    Did you stay up at night watching the recent World Cup in Brazil?

    My whole family watched the matches and like millions of football fans we too wished for India to be there. We would like to see India aspire to play in the 2026 World Cup. To reach there, we have to make the beginning today.

    IPL is about cricket. A game that the country understands. With ISL, aren't owners entering into a new territory?

    ISL will usher in the change from the way football is played here and lead India to be known as a multi-sports country. We will probably take some time, but we have with us enthusiastic club partners with undivided commitment. I remember the initial days when we were conceptualising the ISL.

    Aspects like marketing, marquee players, branding etc, were the prime subjects of discussion. While these are important, I strongly felt the need for involving our youngsters into the sport.

    Football development not only became the centre piece of the League's purpose, it received acknowledgment from every prospective bidder for an ISL club. Our ambition is to reach one million kids and hopefully five million in next five years through inschool and maidan initiatives.

    With IPL and Mumbai Indians, you developed a team. With ISL, the responsibility is larger. There is not one team but eight. How do you see this challenge?

    Every challenge brings opportunities. ISL's opportunity is to realise the dream of Indian football fans.

    IPL is backed by BCCI, the governing body of cricket. ISL, while it has AIFF's blessings, will be led by corporate entities. While this might bring in a different level of professionalism, there will be the inevitable commercial interests. Do you think this will lead to scepticism around the tournament?

    ISL is much more than the commercial aspect. Financials are important in driving investment into the sport. The key aspect of ISL would be our emphasis on grassroots development, stadium refurbishment, professionalising player management and Indian football.

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