Former India cricketer and ATK Mohun Bagan co-owner Sourav Ganguly expressed his appreciation and delight on the success of an uninterrupted seventh edition of Hero Indian Super League concluded recently in Goa, terming it as ‘a new benchmark for the Indian Sports Industry.’

“The successful completion of Hero Indian Super League in these challenging times is indeed a new benchmark for the Indian sports industry,” said Ganguly.

The League organisers, Football Sports Development Limited, had set up stringent health and safety protocols to conduct the first ever live sports event in India. The six months season of ISL 2020-21 saw FSDL achieve a unique distinction last Saturday, concluding an uninterrupted footballing action in Goa under a huge spectrum of 18 bio-bubbles across 14 hotels, housing 1600 people and conducting close to 70000 RT-PCR tests. The League is estimated to have invested close to INR 17 crore in maintaining the most secure bio-bubble in bringing Indian football back to life.

Further commending the season, Ganguly said, “It was a mammoth task undertaken by the organisers, considering the uncertainties surrounding initially. Must say, a job well done when you look back at the last 6 months.”

While kick-starting ISL on Nov 20, 2020, Mrs. Nita Ambani, Chairperson, FSDL had said, "It has taken a lot of courage, determination, and planning to bring football back into our lives, in these pandemic times. I am sure that the next four months of ISL will fill our lives with joy, excitement, and positivity."

The 11 team ISL season 7 competition featured 298 goals come through 115 games (an increase of 20 games from previous season) with Mumbai City FC claiming the bragging rights of a double winning both League Shield Award and ISL Champions trophy.

FSDL, in addition invested approximately INR 20 crore to take up the cost on rentals and creating infrastructure at 8 training pitches for the clubs and refurbishing 3 pitches at Fatorda Stadium, GMC Stadium Bambolim and Tilak Maidan in Goa to organise the top football league in India.

Ganguly further went on to say that the success of ISL should inspire other sports to start their calendar. “The ISL has shown to the world that India can host long format sports events even in the most challenging times. This should inspire many other sports in India now to kick-start their full calendar,” said Ganguly.

Hero Indian Super League 2020-21 in Numbers:

Competition

• Teams: 11

• Games: 115

• Duration: 6 (including pre-season)

• Goals: 298

• Average Goal per Match: 2.59

• Broadcast: 80 territories across Asia, Australia, USA, Canada, Europe

Health & Safety Protocols

• 18 Bio-bubbles created across 14 hotels

• Number of people tested by RT-PCR in Goa: 1635

• Average number of times each person tested by PCR: 50

• Average frequency of testing in days: every 72 Hrs

• Number of total tests done: 70000 approx.

• Number of N95 masks procured by league: 26000 approx.

• Estimated total spend on COVID testing and other related costs: INR 17 Cr

ISL Digital Engagements

Consumption

• Engagement: 175M +

• Video Views: 360M +

Creation

• Minutes of Video Content: 4000 mins+

Infrastructure by League

• Refurbishment of pitches – 3 stadiums + 8 practice grounds

• Refurbishment / installation of floodlights, usage of generators etc.

• Central security and housekeeping agencies

• Rentals of 3 stadium

• Rentals of 8 practice pitch (first two months)

• Estimate Infrastructure cost taken by the league: INR 20 Cr

Production

• Two production & broadcast set-ups, one each in Goa and Mumbai

• Approx. 150 member crew

• 19 cameras used for all League stage games

• Additional 2 cameras deployed from Play-Off stage

• Production infrastructure created from stretch at GM Stadium Bambolim & Tilak Maidan Vasco.

• 3 OB kits and 2 broadcast teams were used for entire duration.