Utsav Parekh signing the pledge ball at the launch of the Hero Indian Super LeagueUtsav Parekh is passionate about the beautiful game and he has translated that passion into action by becoming one of the co-owners of Atlético de Kolkata which will represent the ‘city of joy’ in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL). In this exclusive interview, Parekh reveals that he did not require any convincing once Harshvardhan Neotia and Sourav Ganguly asked him to join up and he was “absolutely ready to go for it”. Here are some excerpts from the interview…How did the connection with Atlético de Madrid come about?I must say that Sourav (Ganguly) and (Harshvardhan) Neotia were instrumental in the initial discussions. Atlético de Madrid was also interested in coming and joining. They, in fact, had taken the bid papers on their own also but when they found Kolkata and found our consortium, they readily said that they would like to go with us.Going into the first season of the ISL, do you think having Atlético de Madrid on your side is a big advantage? I would not say advantage as we are trying to bring the best into the country; and when one team gets something, others will follow. It is not like only one team will have this kind of partnership. So overall, it is very positive for the game of football, for the viewers and sports lovers in India who will be able to see the type of football we only see in Europe.Anything off the top of your head to get the entire city to connect with the ISL?It is going to be a challenge, but, at the same time, the city of Kolkata has such a strong affinity with football that it will be that much easier for us, compared to anywhere else, to really rekindle the footballing passion. The aim is to rekindle the passion for the game. We are hoping to take it to the next level in India and, utilising this platform, I hope we are able to create players who can compete in the global arena.Do you see this becoming into a successful model in the next three-five years? I think the sport of football is a passion with a majority of the Indians. I always thought cricket was, but I see now that even football has a huge fan following. I’m sure that within 3-5 years, the ISL will catch the imagination of the viewers. But what is important is that we give the best possible sports experience to the viewers, by bringing the game as it is played in the European leagues and getting the players and the systems which are above board.How do you see the ISL supporting Indian football in the long run?The most important thing is to create the football academies, create coaching schools and that is part and parcel of the whole development model. Atlético de Madrid has one of the finest nurseries for football in the world. We are gaining and using their experience to build this. We have started scouting and started working but it’ll take a year or two to create the right academies. Our business plan is based primarily on the academies.On a personal note, as a big fan of football, how enthusiastic are you about the game? I follow all the games and all the players and I am totally into football. I follow the top four clubs in the English Premier League and La Liga and try to follow the Bayern (Munich) games in the Bundesliga.Will you be as animated on the field as other team owners? It is difficult to predict, because as you have seen in the World Cup matches, the football fever is so strong that people tend to lose their sanity. But the passion is there and therefore there will be excitement on the pitch. I don’t want to compare ourselves with anyone else, but there will be passion on the pitch.
