Goa Gears Up To Host ISL 2020-21
Football fans in India finally receive some good news with the announcement of the return of the premier football league in the country - Indian Super League (ISL).
The football extravaganza for the 2020-21 season is set to be hosted by the 'Sunshine State' - Goa.
"I am delighted to bring the ISL Season 7 to the state of Goa, from where we had left the action last season. Congratulations to the beautiful state of Goa and their passionate fans of football, as they once again become the epicenter of the beautiful game in India!"
Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson - Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)
The seventh edition of the league will be held without any fans in the stadiums for health and safety reasons, and will be played at 3 venues - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, and Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco - across the state.
In a recently concluded recce by the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the available facilities have been taken into account and a plan has been put in place to upgrade the pitches, drainage system, dressing rooms etc. at the three stadiums.
The FSDL will be working closely with the Goa Football Association and the Sports Authority of Goa to ensure a safe and successful season.
The ISL, in its announcement, also stated that FSDL will work towards providing individual training pitches to each club and that ten such facilities have been identified in Goa, which will also undergo upgrades to ensure that the best possible practice facilities are provided to the franchise.
Over the past six years, ISL has been instrumental in helping boost Indian football and help it find its place on the global map. In this time frame, it has also become a member of the World League Forum with Mumbai City FC seeing investment from City Football Group (Owners of Manchester City Football Club).
ISL has emerged as the fourth most popular league on social media with over 38 million fan interactions, all being indicators of Indian football moving in the right direction.
This year will also see I-League champions and legendary football club 'Mohun Bagan' take part as a newly formed side 'ATK Mohun Bagan' following their merger with the 3 time ISL champions ATK Kolkata.
With Goa hosting the league this year the fans’ presence in the stadiums would have been the icing on the cake for this football-crazy state, however we're sure the entire country will show the same passion supporting their respective teams from the comfort of their homes, as well!