© ISLGoa, one of Indian football’s traditional strongholds, is adding a new team to the state’s proud legacy. At a glittering ceremony here today, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar launched FC Goa, Goa’s representatives in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The club also made history by becoming the first in Indian sports to launch its own satellite TV channel, FC Goa TV.The franchise’s ownership group consists of electronics makers Videocon, along with Goa businessmen Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo. The latter is also owner of famed Goa football club Dempo SC, and he alluded to his long involvement with Indian football at the event. “After running a successful Indian football club for 40 years, it was time for a fresh infusion of the spirit of Goan football to take it to the next level. And so, FC Goa was born”, Dempo stated in his opening remarks. His two footballing ventures will be closely affiliated, as Dempo SC footballers make up all of FC Goa’s quota of 14 domestic players.At the event, FC Goa also launched its official club logo, unveiled by the Chief Minister. The logo is a combination of Goa’s state animal – the gaur, or Indian bison – and a shield, which club officials said was symbolic of strength, attack, and defence. Salgaocar gave a presentation on the logo, explaining that it “personifies the character of Goan football” and the team itself, and going on to express confidence that Goa’s standing in Indian football would inspire FC Goa in the ISL.“We are proud to partner with Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, who run two of the most successful football teams in India.”Anirudh Dhoot, Videocon Group DirectorFC Goa also became the first club to launch its own satellite TV channel, taking advantage of Videocon’s part ownership of the franchise. FC Goa TV will be telecast on Videocon’s d2h platform, and will broadcast exclusive club programming. While speaking at the event and announcing this unprecedented step, Videocon Group director, Anirudh Dhoot, spoke of his pride at being part of Goan football, as well as his sense of excitement of playing a role in Indian football’s exciting new venture.“We are proud to partner with Shrinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaocar, who run two of the most successful football teams in India,” Dhoot said. He went on to speak of his belief in the “great potential in Indian football”, which could become the “most popular sport in India in time to come”.The ambitious goal of making football the nation’s favourite sport will take some time, but in Goa, where the beautiful game already enjoys that status, FC Goa is all set to make its mark on footballing history.