Sports
Updated : Sep 29, 2017, 05:10 PM IST
Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said that India has plenty of talent when it comes to football but doesn't have a platform for players to showcase it. Tendulkar, co-owner of the Kerala Blasters team in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL), felt that the league was the way forward for football in the cricket-crazy nation.
"There is a lot of footballing talent in the country, but no platform to showcase the talent. Perhaps ISL is the answer," Tendulkar said in Mumbai on Thursday at the launch of the IPL-style tournament that will kick-start on October 12. In the opening fixture, Atletico de Kolkata will take on Team Mumbai at Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
Tendulkar, who is also a member of Parliament, said the most important thing for Indians was to develop and nurture a love for sport.
"My vision for India is sport for all. It is not about being professional but staying healthy and fit," he said. "You can't play sports in a boardroom. You have to go on the field and play. With the various leagues we have, India can be one of the fittest nations of the world," Tendulkar added.
"The Indian Super League is an initiative that aims to revolutionise football in our country," Nita Ambani, who chairs the organising committee, said at the launch. "It's the beginning of a new journey and we hope to inspire and motivate millions of youth to play this beautiful game."
Bollywood celebrities Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Varun Dhawan were also present at the launch.