Eight high profile representatives of the owners of the clubs that will compete in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) came together on the stage for the first time to celebrate the launch of the ISL. Later, they all shared their brief thoughts on their expectations and plans for youth development. Here are a few excerpts:

Varun Dhawan (FC Goa): I don’t know anyone who can say anything against Goa. Deep down we are all Goan at heart. Goa has a deep connection with football and we have on board two of the most successful clubs in Dempo and Salgaocar who between them have won seven major titles in the last few years. And to connect with youth we also have Videocon who will bring the technology into the equation. We will have shacks on the beach and kiosks to promote the team all over Goa and maybe all over India as well. We will play an exciting and entertaining brand of football that will reflect the spirit of the place.

Sameer Manchanda (Delhi Dynamos FC): We’ll make Delhi the football capital of India for sure. Our main emphasis will be grassroots development which will be reflected in our Junior Dynamos programme which will reach out to 100 schools in the NCR region. We want to take football to the streets and have kids playing gully football just as they do gully cricket, using two stumps as goalposts.

Utsav Parekh (Atlético de Kolkata): Football is a way of life in Kolkata. We have a very ambitious plan for football development and we have employed a coach for three years; as soon as the ISL is over we will get into our grassroots programme. We have made it clear to ‘Dada’ (Sourav Ganguly) that from now on it will be only football, no cricket. And Dada has given his pledge that it will be so.

John Abraham (NorthEast United FC): I used to play football when I was young but I had to make a choice between education and sports and I chose education. I am now realising my dream through NorthEast United FC. I’ve been a part of the football scenario for a long time now and I’m also a co-owner of Shillong Lajong. I’ve spoken to the club owners and each one of them shares the passion for football and for making the ISL a success.

Abhishek Bachchan (Chennaiyin FC): As far as knowledge is concerned, we have a very able set up and I’ll leave the technical part of the game to them. But I do have the zeal and it is all driven by passion. It is very important when you are setting up a new venture. As far as most people are concerned, we are all looking forward to working hard and getting down and dirty and making this endeavour a success.

Kapil Wadhavan (FC Pune City): Pune represents passion, youth, exuberance. The demographic profile of Pune is very different from the other cities in India and we have a population that is young. In this (domestic) draft we didn’t have a single player from Pune which was unfortunate. Hopefully, the grassroots initiatives that we will launch will redress that deficiency. As for the ‘Salman (Khan) Kick’, the kick will come when we win the league!

Ranbir Kapoor (Mumbai City FC): As a fan I’ve been yearning for quality football in our country and with the ISL we now have that. Reliance is a pioneer in building India and with the IMG-Reliance we just want to build something that will last forever. I’m really overwhelmed at being here and I wish all the team owners all the best and all the luck and hope to see you at the game.

Sachin Tendulkar (Kerala Blasters FC): Be it cricket or football, I will always support sport in India. I have a provision for sport in India and in my word I call it ‘Sport for All’. I want people to take up sports, not in order to become professional sportspersons but to be healthy and fit. It will be my happiest moment when India is recognised as a healthy and vibrant nation. The talent is there in India. It is important for everyone to make the most of this platform.