Reliance Industries, IMG Worldwide and Star India have announced the launch of an Indian Super League competition which aims to become a catalyst for the growth of the sport in India, reports Soccerex Business Daily. The league aims to revolutionise the sport in India, leveraging the strengths of all three partners who are focused on growing the game to national prominence, offering Indian football greater global exposure and eventually helping the national team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Indian Super League will feature eight city-specific teams to start with, reportedly in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Goa, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore.
The league will kick-off on January 18, 2014 and will run through to March 2014, with a second window planned later in the year.
Each team will have one marquee player, international players and the best of Indian talent. The Times of India reports the likes of Dwight Yorke, Fredrik Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Louis Saha and Hernan Crespo have already signed up to compete, with Thierry Henry and Michael Owen also in talks.
It is seen as the latest attempt to transfer the hugely successful Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket concept to another sport.
