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'IPL to be no match for PLS'
Monday 06 February 2012

 

IPL to be no match for PLS, say organisers
The Premier League Soccer (PLS) might have taken a leaf out of the IPL but the hugely successful money-spinning T20 cricket event would be no match for the upcoming football tournament, boasting a galaxy of World Cuppers, organisers claimed on Monday. 
Utpal Ganguli, secretary of the Indian Football Association who is organising the tournament, said, they were not worried about the future of PLS, clashing with the IPL 5. 
"We are overwhelmed by queries from all over the world. Looking at the phenomenal response, I am sure IPL TV right holders would be worried about PLS," Ganguli said. 
"I am not here to challenge anybody. But looking at the fan following of football all over the world, I'm sure that IPL would be no match for PLS," Ganguli said on the sidelines of a meeting with the six franchises of PLS. 
He said they did not have any rift with Indian parent body AIFF from whom they have taken an "approval". "They had some queries to which we have replied. There was some apprehension but no misunderstanding (with IFA). We have assured them that the guidelines would be followed." 
Echoing similar sentiments, Biswapriya Giri of Euro Musketeers (team Barasat) said, "Football is an international game. We have the stars with us and I'm sure it would be hugely successful." 
"We are planning to bring together the magic of Indian icon Bhaichung Bhutia along with Argentine legend (Hernan) Crespo. I'm sure PLS will create a ripple," he said. 
Barasat team have bought the Argentine star for a whopping $840,000, while Icelandic Teitur Thordarson will be their coach after being bought for $210,000. 
PLS is a brainchild of Celebrity Management Group who are the commercial partners along with organisers IFA as the tournament boasts of international stars like Italy's 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, Argentine 2006 World Cup captain Juan Pablo Sorin among others. 
In the first edition, PLS will have six franchises -- Kolkata, Howrah, Barasat, Durgapur, Midnapore and Haldia -- with one icon player, one icon coach, two overseas players and one overseas player of Asian origin. 
The rest in the squad will be Indians with six U-21, six 'catchment' (local) players and nine to 14 top Indian players.

 

The Premier League Soccer (PLS) might have taken a leaf out of the IPL but the hugely successful money-spinning T20 cricket event would be no match for the upcoming football tournament, boasting a galaxy of World Cuppers, organisers claimed on Monday. 

Utpal Ganguli, secretary of the Indian Football Association who is organising the tournament, said, they were not worried about the future of PLS, clashing with the IPL 5. 

"We are overwhelmed by queries from all over the world. Looking at the phenomenal response, I am sure IPL TV right holders would be worried about PLS," Ganguli said. 

"I am not here to challenge anybody. But looking at the fan following of football all over the world, I'm sure that IPL would be no match for PLS," Ganguli said on the sidelines of a meeting with the six franchises of PLS. 

He said they did not have any rift with Indian parent body AIFF from whom they have taken an "approval". "They had some queries to which we have replied. There was some apprehension but no misunderstanding (with IFA). We have assured them that the guidelines would be followed." 

Echoing similar sentiments, Biswapriya Giri of Euro Musketeers (team Barasat) said, "Football is an international game. We have the stars with us and I'm sure it would be hugely successful." 

"We are planning to bring together the magic of Indian icon Bhaichung Bhutia along with Argentine legend (Hernan) Crespo. I'm sure PLS will create a ripple," he said. 

Barasat team have bought the Argentine star for a whopping $840,000, while Icelandic Teitur Thordarson will be their coach after being bought for $210,000. 

PLS is a brainchild of Celebrity Management Group who are the commercial partners along with organisers IFA as the tournament boasts of international stars like Italy's 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, Argentine 2006 World Cup captain Juan Pablo Sorin among others. 

In the first edition, PLS will have six franchises -- Kolkata, Howrah, Barasat, Durgapur, Midnapore and Haldia -- with one icon player, one icon coach, two overseas players and one overseas player of Asian origin. 

The rest in the squad will be Indians with six U-21, six 'catchment' (local) players and nine to 14 top Indian players.

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