Priyanka lastly welcomed Nita Ambani, chairperson, Football Sports Development.
Priyanka added that these men are going to make fooball history in India.
Finally, Bharat Ratna >@sachin_rt and >@jamosfoundation come on stage for >@KBFCOfficial ! >#HeroISL>#LetsFootball
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
Last but not the least, maestro Sachin Tendulkar and David James (Kerala Blasters) were welcomed with a loud roar from the crowd.
Ranbir Kapoor and Fredrik Ljumgbert from Mumbai City FC were welcomed next.
Hirithik Roshan and David Trezeguet (FC Pune City) were welcomed next.
Abhishek Bachchan and Elano Blumer (Chennaiyin FC) were welcomed by Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra.
Dattaraj Salgoacar and Robert Pires (FC Goa) were welcomed next.
Third, John Abraham and Ricki Herbert (NorthEAst United FC) was introduced.
Next were Parineeti Chopra and Alessandro del Piero (Delhi Dynamos).
Ganguly and Luis Garcia (Atletico de Kolkata) were introduced first by Priyanka. There was a loud cheer for the local boy Sourav Ganguly.
Bollywood diva introduced Sourav Ganguly and Luis Garcia (for Atletico de Kolkata), Parineeti Chopra and Alessandro del Piero (Delhi Dynamos), John Abraham and Ricki Herbert (NorthEast United FC), Dattaraj Salgaocar and Robert Pires (FC Goa), Abhishek Bachchan and Elano Blumer (Chennaiyin FC), Hrithik Roshan and David Trezeguet (FC Pune City), Ranbir Kapoor and Fredrik Ljungberg (Mumbai City FC) and Sachin Tendulkar and David James (Kerala Blasters) represented the participating teams. -- Amitabha Das Sharma
Priyanka mesmerised the crowd with her various styles of dancing. Priyanka said "Kolkata breathe football"
Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra was welcomed with a huge roar. Priyanka Chopra performed to a medley. Priyanka performed for a song from "Gunday".
Salim-Suleiman Merchant enthralled the crowd for the sake football.
Aslam Dhol performed Delhi Dynamos music and the crowd enjoyed it thoroughly.
Pune music being played with much fervour.
Taufiq Qureshi performs on behalf of Mumbai FC team.
The music from the participating teams were being played.
Beautiful sights and sounds here at the Salt Lake Stadium. How're you enjoying it? >#HeroISL>#LetsFootball>pic.twitter.com/U3O0DLhgQZ
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
The artists from Kerala came out to mesmerise the audiences.
Drums Sivamani in his usual self enthrals the crowd, mesmerised the audience.
This is truly the birth of a footballing nation!
Beautiful performance from the artists and it was a splendid performance for the gala opening ceremony of the Hero Indian Super League
The giant Salt Lake Stadium, with around 1,20,000 capacity came alive with a dash of colour, lights and fireworks.
Child artists perform with lights in their hands
The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accompanied by Sanjiv Goenka, Vice-Chairman of RPG Enterprises and co-woner of Atletico Kolkata, Praful Patel, AIFF president and Nita Ambani, Chairperson of IMG-Reliance & founding Chairperson of Football Sports Development, made a joint appearance to declare the tournament open. - Amitabha Das Sharma from Kolkata
Fireworks glitter all over the Salt Lake stadium.
"Football can conquer the world!" - Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister said.
Praful Patel, chairman, All India Football Federation welcomes the gathering and congratulates all the team members and team owners. "Dream come today" said Praful Patel in his address. "To take football to the nook and corner of India", he said.He also congratulates Nita Ambani for her sterling efforts and wish her super success.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomes the gathering with Nita Ambani and Praful Patel besides her.
Let's football is the theme of the Hero Indian Super League. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is being welcomed. Praful Patel is welcomed. Nita Ambani is welcomed.
Abhishek Bachchan with his father Amitabh Bachchan are at the stadium to witness the glittering opening ceremony.
Grand opening of Hero Indian Super League 2014. Salt Lake Stadium is glittered with lights and fans have filled the stadium
All the owners with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Nita Ambani, chairperson of Football Sports Development of India are expected to arrive
>@Cricket_Big4 Never miss a moment! Click here to get the complete >#HeroISL match schedule: >http://t.co/U1Q3lGr6gJ (17:19:32)
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
Priyanka Chopra just before her performance! >#HeroISL>pic.twitter.com/6WR3Aby5Go
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
. >@ChennaiyinFC still leading by a mile in our Twitter battle. 45 minutes to go, who will challenge them? >#LetsFootball>pic.twitter.com/bIcapfK1rB
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa on Sunday congratulated AIFF chief Praful Patel on the launch of the Indian Super League (ISL) and hoped the franchise-based tournament will increase the popularity of the sport in the country.
He also conveyed his best wishes for the tournament in the letter sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) chief Sunday.
“I would like to congratulate you on the launch of the new league. I am confident that this eight-team competition with a total of 61 matches will increase the popularity of the sport in India and will create a strong fan base for Indian domestic football,” the AFC chief wrote in the letter.
Conveying his optimism for the competition, he expected the clubs to help bolster the national football team by nurturing talent and providing them opportunity to showcase their potential.
“The knowledge and experience gained from this competition will also help the clubs in raising their profile and will strengthen the national team in future. I would like to wish all the eight teams the very best and wishing you all the success for this new venture,” he said.
Hosts Atletico de Kolkata take on Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata in the inaugural match of the tournament.
Fans already pouring in at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. We're getting closer, people! >#HeroISL>#LetsFootball>pic.twitter.com/QPi1Mp17yx
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) >October 12, 2014
> The first match of the ISL 2014 is between Atletico De Kolkata versus Mumbai City FC
> The comprehensive coverage of Indian Super League 2014
The Kolkata team derived its name and the vertical-red-and-white-striped jersey from its Spanish parent. Drawing inspiration from the famous ‘tiki-taka’ style, Atletico de Kolkata coined its slogan to read: ‘Fata-fati Football’. (Fata-fati is a Bengali colloquialism that means outstanding.) Ganguly, who leads a consortium of the city’s top industrialists, has declared that Atletico de Kolkata will do everything it can to raise the level of Indian football.
Any city-based league with a mix of Indian and foreign nationals, attracts the first set of eyeballs mainly on virtue of its overseas talent. In this respect the team will be identified by Bernard Mendy, formerly Paris Saint-Germain, Cristian Hidalgo Gonzalez, a product of the famed Barcelona academy La Masia, Bojan Djordjic, former Manchester United youth player, Mikael Silvestre, formerly Manchester United and marquee signing Elano Blumer.
Delhi Dynamos camp have emphasised the need to play an attacking brand of football that befits the status of a team from the national capital. Considering fans in the city are deprived of quality football throughout the year, the franchise has made a conscious attempt to lure them to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The carrot of exciting football, it is believed, won’t be resisted.
The side has wisely joined hands with Dempo SC — a team which has served Goan and Indian football with distinction for 48 years — to give itself the best chance to utilise the abundant talent in the state. Needless to say, this was a more efficient option than to start from scratch. The franchise has wisely got Dempo SC coach Arthur Papas on board as well, in a bid to once again bring together all the elements which have made the I-League club a success.
Pune City picked up Italians Emmanuele Belardi (goalkeeper) who played under the manager at Reggina, Danielle Magliocchetti (defender) from Cagliari. Greece midfielder Konstantinos Katsouranis, a late signing, is an inspired move. Indians Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Lenny Rodrigues impressed in the warm-up games. Pune City took on Dudu Omagbemi on loan from East Bengal.
Kerala Blasters, named after the ‘Master Blaster’ himself, has a few players who are hungry to prove themselves. Striker Michael Chopra is a classic case. For many international stars, the ISL may just be a stop in their long journey, but for Chopra it is very different. A big-money buy, the England-born is keen to get into the Indian national team through a good showing in the ISL.
The Mumbai City team comprises forwards Nicolas Anelka (France), Diego Nadaya (Argentina), midfielders Fredrik Ljungberg (Sweden), Jan Stohanzl (Czech Republic), Germany’s Manuel Friedrich in the defence to name a few. Six foreigners can be drafted into the playing XI.
NorthEast United FC epitomises the infusion of passion for football that unites the Eight Sisters (including Sikkim) on the country’s eastern fringe. As is apparent from the nomenclature, the team sought to draw its essence from this harmony that binds the region despite its cultural and geographical differences.
