Mumbai: The Indian Super League (ISL), the new franchise-based football tournament, has entered into a strategic partnership with the English Premier League (EPL) – the world’s most popular and successful football league – to bring its best practices to India under an exchange programme.
The co-operation agreement between the ISL – co-promoted by IMG-Reliance and Star India with support from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) – and the EPL will allow the ISL to leverage the league’s expertise in nurturing and growing a high quality football competition, a statement from IMG-Reliance on Sunday said.
The ISL, set to kick off in September 2014, will receive strategic support, advice and assistance from the Premier League to further the development of the league and its clubs.
The EPL will also assist in establishing club governance, shaping the brand, fan engagement, defining anti-corruption and anti-doping policies for the ISL, as well as joint promotion of the ISL and Premier League football in India.
The cooperation between the ISL and the Premier League lends credence to the ISL’s mission to engage the 200 million-plus Indian football fan base by showcasing quality football.
However, there are still many detractors of the proposed league, especially ex-footballers and people associated with the I-League, who feel that the short duration and structure of the tournament and will harm Indian football. (IANS)