Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) Founder Chairperson Nita Ambani on Sunday hailed the Indian Super League (ISL) for providing a platform for young Indian footballers to progress and play for the national team whilst speaking on the sidelines of the ISL fixture between Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA).
Earmarking talents like Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, and Sahal Abdul Samad amongst others, Mrs Ambani expressed happiness at seeing performance of such individuals being identified and nurtured by the ISL and mentioned it as an extremely fulfilling and proud moment for the entire league.
“It has been such an exciting and fulfilling journey, 10 years of growing football in our country. I owe this journey a lot to the fans of football here who have gathered here in large numbers and all the players, sponsors and supporters of this beautiful game. What has been really fulfilling in this journey is nurturing young talents and giving them a platform to perform on the global stage. Many of our young footballers who are now discovered, developed, nurtured by the ISL are now playing for the national team, like Sandesh Jhingan, Sahal Abdul Samad, Akash Mishra, so that has been a really, really proud moment for us at ISL,” Mrs Ambani said.
She was accompanied by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who appreciated the ISL for helping Indian football take a giant leap in the last 10 years. Bach was amazed with the passionate crowd support during the match between the Islanders and the Blasters, as he praised Mrs. Ambani and the whole team behind the FSDL for giving this incredible shape to the top-tier football league in the country.
“It’s exciting to see this very passionate and peaceful fans sitting next to each other and celebrating the players. This is a real sports experience that we can enjoy here. It’s a good match and I can only admire what has been achieved here in 10 years by the ISL, particularly by Mrs Nita Ambani and team. This is amazing, considering where football was coming from India and where it is today, thanks to the fans, but also thanks to all those like Mrs Ambani and team, who are empowering their fans to enjoy this great game of football,” Bach touched upon his experience of watching the ISL game.
The 141st IOC Congress will be held in Mumbai on October 14, with Mrs Ambani leading the Indian delegation for this momentous occasion. She envisioned India becoming a multi-sports nation with the help of such initiatives and also recognized and admired the Indian contingent for bagging a record 107 medals in the 19th edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
She pointed to that as a testament that Indian athletes can scale greater heights on the global stage provided that they are given the right support system and infrastructure to nurture their talents.
Bach joined her in congratulating the Indian team and looked forward to what the country has to present in the Paris Olympics 2024.
“We are all so excited to have the 141st session in Mumbai. We are bringing the Olympic Movement back to India after 40 years. I think our dream is to make India a multi-sport nation. This will really give a boost to youngsters all over the country to take up different sports and excel. I think we have done so well at the Asian Games, 107 medals in all, and it just shows that if our youngsters are given the right support, infrastructure, and if we nurture them well, they will make our country proud. Reliance Foundation athletes have won 12 medals, a special mention to Palak Gulia who is only 17-year-old and has won two medals for the country. I think it’s time now for India to shine in the sports field as well,” Mrs Ambani said.
“It’s a huge occasion and it reflects the growing strength of India in the Olympic Movement. Congratulations for your support to the 107 medals in the Asian Games and to all the Olympian athletes. This shows the great strength and we are looking forward to seeing a strong Indian team in the Paris 2024 Olympics,” Bach signed off.
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