DHL signed on as the Official Logistics and Timing Partner for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The partnership was announced in the presence of former Indian Captain and the Sikkimese sniper Baichung Bhutia on Tuesday in an event organised in Mumbai.

RS Subramanian, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, India, DHL Express also announced the DHL Winning Pass award that would be conferred upon the player per team with the most number of assists this ISL season.

While Bhutia kept the spirits of the media personnel high, he also talked about the upcoming season of the Hero ISL. “Last season, my most favourite moment was when Atlético de Kolkata clinched the first-ever ISL title with that goal from [Mohammed] Rafique,” he said in an exclusive chat with indiansuperleague.com.

Bhutia: Striking isn’t easy; you need a sense to score goals

“I think it’s important for [domestic players] to share the stage with an Anelka or a Roberto Carlos as it is a learning experience for them, on and off the field. The way they maintain themselves as professionals, the quality of performances they put out, the training and facilities they are exposed to – it’s all beneficial for our players as well,” quipped the Sikkimese sniper.

Bhutia continued to stress further intensive levels of quality for Indian players, as well as for ISL 2015, moving a scale up from the last year’s edition. But does he rue the chance of not having the ISL during his time and being a part of it? “Yeah, I would have definitely loved to be a part of the League in my heyday. But we should accept the reality and move forward.”

The former footballer was very vocal about the ISL’s grassroots development programme and spoke about his unconditional love for the sport. “The upcoming talent needs to work hard and just focus on their game. The striker’s position is not easy; you’ve got to have a gift for it, a sense to score goals and work diligently towards it.”

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