Chennai City FC is not interested in being part of the Indian Super League (ISL) even though a few clubs from the I-League have been clamouring to be a part of it.
“Absolutely not,” emphasised Rohit Ramesh, co-owner of Chennai City FC, when asked if his club would be making a bid for the ISL. “We are happy where we are. We are concentrating on our next six games,” said Rohit on his team’s current status which promises a first-place finish in the I-League.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not been able to give final shape to the game’s league structure in the country even though there are expectations of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal joining the ISL.
Rohit was in the capital to announce FC Basel of Switzerland as partner of the CCFC. “It is a first for a foreign investment in an Indian football club. Indian football stands to benefit from this move,” he added.
High reputation
FC Basel has a high reputation in Europe. Last season, it defeated top opponents like Manchester United and Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League. The partnership between Chennai City FC and the Swiss club will focus on setting up, among other things, a best-in-class Residential Youth Academy in Coimbatore, and rolling out soccer schools across Tamil Nadu in phase-1.
Rohit said, “We wanted to do something unique. Wanted to create a sustainable model with more of a professional approach. We are going to develop the youth, starting with under-9, with education on cards too. The key objective is to learn and get professional help.”
According to CCFC co-owner R. Krishnakumar, the deal was based on “mutual cooperation and trust and keeps the original identity of CCFC and its fans paramount. Key parts of the deal entail transfer of knowledge in all departments including sporting, infra and legal areas.
“What else would we want from a top European football club with such a rich, winning heritage and record of producing world-class players. It is a belated New Year gift to our fans and our tremendously hard-working players, coaches and support staff.”
Historic moment
The FC Basel president Bernhard Burgener said, “This is not only a historic moment for Indian football and CCFC but also for us. We will become strategic, supportive and financially active for the first time in Asia.
“India has shown growing football interest in general; the [recent] Asian Cup showcased the immense football potential to be tapped and we want to be partners in helping them doing so. Partnering with Chennai City FC, whose tremendous, passionate and hard-working owners left us with no doubt that it is a step in that direction.”