Indian Super League (ISL) finally got under way on Sunday after the country's previous attempts to woo world football had fallen flat on it's face.
In 2012, for example, West Bengal briefly flirted with the idea of Premier League Soccer (PLS), acquiring eight district teams and inviting players like Pablo Cannavaro, Hernan Crespo, Robert Pires and Robbie Fowler to grace Indian football. But in a matter of months, the dream collapsed; the league never saw light of the day, and, not surprisingly invited from around the world.
When IMG-Reliance announced plans for the ISL, a franchise based league modelled on the hugely-successful Indian Premier League (IPL) T20, there was, understandably, some concern. After three years and as many postponements, the league finally took off in a city that is widely regarded as the 'Mecca of Indian football'. Kolkata, after all, has hosted legends like Pele, Diego, Maradona and Lionel Messi.
On Sunday, the world suddenly took more than just passing interest in Indian football. For the opening game alone, 23 foreign television channels, newspapers and magazines were granted accreditation, focusing on India and it's football like never before. From Tokyo to Brazil, France and Italy, the ISL, grabbed worldwide attention.
It has helped that top Bollywood stars, industrialists and even cricketers -- including the captain and vice-captain -- are throwing their weight behind the tournament. But of particular interest to the world has been the presence of five World Cup winners, foreign players from 22 countries and a collective experience of 1000 competitive matches in various leagues globally.
"The world now knows that Indians play football. Until three years ago, believe me, I knew only of Baichung Bhutia but when I came here, I saw for myself just how passionate Indians were especially in Manipur, about football", said Steve Darby, former Thailand national coach and a globetrotter.
"The ISL, will either be brilliant or a disaster, but half the battle is already won with the kind of interest that is generated around the world. I am told that 1000 journalists are covering the league", said Mumbai City FC's assistant coach who had a brief stint at Mohan Bagan as coach. Darby, like several other experts, warned that it will be in the hands of domestic players to take Indian football to the next level. "Grab this chance", he urged the players.
In 2012, for example, West Bengal briefly flirted with the idea of Premier League Soccer (PLS), acquiring eight district teams and inviting players like Pablo Cannavaro, Hernan Crespo, Robert Pires and Robbie Fowler to grace Indian football. But in a matter of months, the dream collapsed; the league never saw light of the day, and, not surprisingly invited from around the world.
When IMG-Reliance announced plans for the ISL, a franchise based league modelled on the hugely-successful Indian Premier League (IPL) T20, there was, understandably, some concern. After three years and as many postponements, the league finally took off in a city that is widely regarded as the 'Mecca of Indian football'. Kolkata, after all, has hosted legends like Pele, Diego, Maradona and Lionel Messi.
On Sunday, the world suddenly took more than just passing interest in Indian football. For the opening game alone, 23 foreign television channels, newspapers and magazines were granted accreditation, focusing on India and it's football like never before. From Tokyo to Brazil, France and Italy, the ISL, grabbed worldwide attention.
It has helped that top Bollywood stars, industrialists and even cricketers -- including the captain and vice-captain -- are throwing their weight behind the tournament. But of particular interest to the world has been the presence of five World Cup winners, foreign players from 22 countries and a collective experience of 1000 competitive matches in various leagues globally.
"The world now knows that Indians play football. Until three years ago, believe me, I knew only of Baichung Bhutia but when I came here, I saw for myself just how passionate Indians were especially in Manipur, about football", said Steve Darby, former Thailand national coach and a globetrotter.
"The ISL, will either be brilliant or a disaster, but half the battle is already won with the kind of interest that is generated around the world. I am told that 1000 journalists are covering the league", said Mumbai City FC's assistant coach who had a brief stint at Mohan Bagan as coach. Darby, like several other experts, warned that it will be in the hands of domestic players to take Indian football to the next level. "Grab this chance", he urged the players.
