Is ISL where you wanted it to be today four years ago? What’ve been the challenges? 
ISL was launched to rekindle India’s love for the Beautiful Game. The first three seasons have established football as the common language, provided an international platform for our footballers to perform, and brought global attention to India. We’re committed to making India a footballing nation. But this is just the beginning ISL will have two new clubs and will be longer. 

What are the plans for Season 4? 
This year, ISL has expanded to ten cities. The Tatas, who have a rich legacy in Indian football, are one of the two new teams and play from Jamshedpur. The Jindals, with their strong fan base in Bengaluru, are the second.

The Chinese Super League (CSL) is trying its best to get top international players in their prime. Is it a model ISL is following, considering that CSL played a role in China’s participation in the 2002 World Cup? 
CSL has developed their strategy on the basis of the needs of their local markets. For India, ISL has brought global attention to Indian football, and it is a journey. We will be delighted when India makes it to the World Cup in the not-too-distant future. But for that, we need continuous investments in both grassroots and infrastructure. We’ve been focused on enhancing the love for football in traditional regions such as the Northeast, Bengal, Kerala and Goa. And at the same time, we’ve been taking it to other parts of India. For example, the engagement levels for ISL in Chennai and Tamil Nadu is heart-warming. 

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Team FC Goa introduces its marquee coach Zico and marquee player Robert Pires

The Adidas team kit unveiled at the ceremony

Mumbai 23 September 2014: The good, healthy buzz about FC Goa just got even better.
FC Goa today introduced its marquee coach, Zico and marquee player Robert Pires at a well-attended ceremony at the Palladium Hotel in Mumbai. Present at the ceremony were Mrs. Nita Ambani, Founding Chairperson, Football Sports Development and Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF along with the owners  Mr. Venugopal N Dhoot, Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar and Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo. FC Goa’s first ‘friend’ actor Varun Dhawan was also present.

The Indian Super League club has already triggered a whirlwind of interest when it signed on a genuine Brazilian legend and three-time World Cupper Arthur Antunes Coimbra fondly known as Zico as its marquee coach. Zico has begun putting the FC Goa lads through the motions at team training sessions and is gearing for the first season of the ISL.

Virat Kohli-Co-owner of FC Goa, Varun Dhavan-FC Goa’s First Friend, Zico- Coach and Robert Pires Marquee Player

Former French international and Arsenal star Robert Pires, FC Goa’s marquee player was formally unveiled to the audience at the ceremony. Very few football aficionados would need an introduction to the star, who has been a part of the World Cup and Euro Cup winning squads for France and has won several club triumphs for Arsenal.

The Adidas team kit was also unveiled at the ceremony. Talking about the team kit, Tushar Goculdas, Brand Director, adidas India said, “adidas is the number one football brand in the world and we are excited to partner with FC Goa, the team representing one of the most passionate centres of football in India. The team is supported by a strong backbone, with owners having great footballing heritage, Virat- a world class athlete and passionate football fan and Zico, one of the greatest artists of the beautiful game. We are even more excited to unveil the team kit today, which has been created by our global design team and beautifully captures the essence of Goa. The team jersey will be available to FC Goa fans to buy in a few weeks.”

The big highlight at the event was the formal announcement of Virat Kohli, one of India’s finest contemporary cricketers, as the brand ambassador and co-owner of FC Goa. Kohli brings with him dynamism, grit and an unbridled energy, which are the elements that form the core of FC Goa.

Said Virat Kohli of his involvement in team FC Goa, “”FC Goa is going to be very competitive in the upcoming ISL. And the expertise and experience of stalwarts like Zico and Pires will further strengthen the already strong DNA that the team possesses, thanks to the Salgaocar, Dempo and Videcon  Groups’ involvement. I am very excited to be a part of this franchise in what definitely looks like a breakthrough for Football as a Sport in India”

Said Zico of his move to India, “There is a huge responsibility placed on my shoulders and I will do justice to it. I know expectations are high. I am motivated to take on this role of coach to FC Goa. Thank you for a wonderful welcome to India.”

Added Frenchman Robert Pires “I’m excited to play for FC Goa at the inaugural season of the ISL. I look forward to my time in Goa and India and to contribute positively to the development of football in the country.”

Mr. Venugopal N. Doot, Chairman of the Board, Videocon Industries, agreed saying, “These are exciting times for me and my partners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo, who have shared a common dream – to make a valuable contribution to Indian football and elevate the standards of the sport in the country”.

Mr. Shrinivas Dempo Chairman and Managing Director of Dempo Group of Companies, said “The enthusiasm and interest in the sport is what drives us to invest in it. Football has always come before everything else. We are now looking forward to elevating the sport of football to a whole new level. ISL has provided us with the unique opportunity to create this change and infuse fresh enthusiasm into the sport.”

Added Mr. Dattaraj V. Salgaocar Managing Director of V M Salgaocar and Company, “ We have supported football for over five decades. The arrival and support of these two global football icons on the Indian footballing turf, marks the beginning of a glittering era for the ‘Beautiful Game’ in India.  The team embodies the spirit of Joga Bonito, playing the beautiful game the way it should be played – with pace, power and passion. That’s what team FC Goa will bring to the ISL”?

Said Varun Dhawan, “The moment I got to know about the ISL I wanted to be a part of it. I love football and it’s wonderful to see so much talent and enthusiasm around the sport”.
FC Goa will kick off the first game of the Indian Super League against Chennaiyin FC  at home on October 16. Other teams in the Indian Super League include Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, FC Pune City, Delhi Dynamos, Atletico de Kolkata and North East United.

The FC Goa Squad: Laxmikant Kattimani, Debabrata Roy, Gabriel Fernandes, Clifford Miranda, Shaikh Jewel Raja, Alwyn George, Narayan Das, Prabir Das, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Peter Carvalho, Holicharan Narzary, PronayHalder, Rowilson Rodrigues, Miguel Pereira Herlien, MiroslavSlepicka, Youness Bengelloun, Bruno Pinheiro, Edgar Marcelino, Gregory Arnoli, Jan Seda and Robert Pires.

About FC Goa: Launched on August 26, 2014, FC Goa is Goa’s premier football club competing in the Hero Indian Super League, India’s top tier football league. Owned by Mr Venugopal Dhoot, Mr Dattaraj Salgaocar, Mr Shrinivas Dempo and Mr. Virat Kohli, it has its home ground at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, South Goa.

About the Indian Super League: The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) tournament is organized under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It is currently contested by eight teams from across India, played on a league basis (home and away games). The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals and the winners of the double leg semi-finals will play in the finals. There will be 56 league matches and five knock-out matches held between October 13 and December 20, 2014.

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Twitter: @fcgoaofficial 

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