5 reasons why the Indian Super League is good for Indian football
The Indian Super League is in its second season, and looking at its build-up and the start to the season, it’s safe to say the ISL has got even bigger and better from season one. Having attracted stars like Roberto Carlos to the ISL, it has made many football fans in India pinch themselves to confirm the reality.Many have called the advent of the Indian Super League as the awakening of the sleeping giant that India represents in the world of football, and so far the ISL has lived up to its hype. While changes can’t take place overnight, there are plenty of positives which the ISL has got on the horizon for Indian football.So we take a look at five reasons why the ISL is good for Indian football:
#1 ISL has put India on the global football map
The Indian Super League has not just taken football to every household in the country, but also made a place for it in Indian households. From Atletico de Kolkata showcasing their ISL trophy at the Vicente Calderon to Delhi Dynamos’ active association with West Bromwich Albion, the tournament has definitely made an impact.
Another example of the good impression built by the ISL can be seen in the fact that foreign players are now viewing India as a legitimate footballing destination and have used their good play here to win contracts in top leagues back in Europe and South America during the ISL off-season.
The biggest example of the ISL’s popularity would probably be the fact that Brazilian legend Pele attended Atletico de Kolkata’s match against Kerala Blasters, thus drawing the attention of media world over.
What the ISL has achieved in just one season, no one involved with Indian football would ever have dreamed of. The ISL has got India on the global map of football and for a country with a burgeoning football following, it’s a huge platform to build on.
The growth of the ISL has prompted top European clubs and authorities to look at India as one of the most lucrative markets to spread their base. With the interest of the Europeans garnered, it’s not too long before investments start pouring into football in India.
A boost in investment could see India go places in the footballing world and the success of the ISL would then be proportional to the growth of Indian football.