CHARLES D'SOUZA
MARGAO
The 3rd edition of Hero Indian Super League has exposed Indian football to a new level of professionalism. Despite the shortcomings in the Indian setup,organisational structure of the clubs, the training methods, player facilities and marketing have all added up for the good of Indian football and ensured that the sport will never be the same in the country again.
It has also generated the attention of the world of football like no other tournament in the history of the game. In an age of fragmented media consumption, football is still watched by millions live on television .
Sports needs viewership, thanks to some good quality broadcasts. Star Sports production and programming has helped the league, the game to grow and football's popularity has increased.
The lucarative contracts and prestige involved in country's richest football league has attracted country's best talent. Former famed world club's players and marque players in this league speak volumes about the tournament . Leading players and coaches have openly showered appreciation on the league which can potentially reshape the future of Indian football. Hero ISL teams are trying to tap the potential of India's massive urban and rural youth which is a great sign. The ISL has showcased many talented players from India and has given them a rare platform to rub shoulders with the best players in the business.This in turn has benefited the players who have improved by leaps and bounds and gelled with the foreign players. All in all the league has showcased fantistic football.
The world over Hero ISL is a talking point, watched closely in top football playing countries for the quality of play as well as the production. ISL is doing things differently and has instilled elite levels of preparation and diligence in the squads. Many famed foreign players love to come back and play in the Hero ISL every year .
