Atlético de Kolkata defender Arnab Mondal highlighted the importance of the higher level of infrastructure provided to Indian football by the Hero Indian Super League. Mondal, who was a part of Atlético de Kolkata’s championship-winning side, wants the same level of commitment and facilities provided to Indian football on and off the field throughout the year.The former Prayag United man spoke to the IANS and heaped praise on the management of the league. “Yes, professionalism has helped as it was a well-managed league. We had to play matches at short intervals, yet we never quite faced inconvenience,” said Mondal.The ISL has also initiated a grassroots movement for the development of young footballers all over the country. Mondal believes that these sort of programmes are critical to the future of Indian football and supplying a new breed of Indian talent. “We have to improve the standards of the local clubs, start grassroots programmes and develop the infrastructure,” he said.Shedding light on the learning and development of Indian players from the internationals who sought to play their trade here, the East Bengal player revealed, “ISL has given birth to a new form of Indian football. Mentally and physically, it was a challenge for the players to play against their foreign counterparts. Greats of the game are coming to India to play for Indian clubs. No one could’ve thought about this before.”The Indian international also shared his thoughts on his captain and marquee man Luis García and his coach Antonio López Habas, as well as fellow defender Josemi. “We always looked up to him (García) for inspiration. He encouraged the whole team every time we were down and out; he knew what to tell when, to boost our morale.”“Josemi taught me a lot of things,” Mondal went on to add. “Whenever he told me anything, I always listened very carefully, so that I could implement the skills on the ground when needed,” he disclosed on his relationship with his defensive partner.“Habas was very aggressive. He always put the team ahead of any player; at team meetings he was a very animated character who would make sure we understood all his strategies,” said the 25-year-old in regard to his head coach.Quotes taken from Arnab Mondal’s interview with IANS.
