Kohli is Premier Futsal’s brand ambassador

A Premier Futsal release has a statement from Kohli, saying: "I am tremendously excited to be a part of Premier Futsal and motivated to positively contribute to the development of this wonderful new sport in India."

Virat Kohli is one of the co-owners of FC Goa in the Indian Super League.

Premier Futsal has named Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador. The Indian cricket star, currently involved with the Indian Premier League, will be associated with the event to be kicked off in July across eight cities. Portuguese football legend Luis Figo is president of the five-a-side version.

According to a media release from the organisers, Premier Futsal will be governed by the Futsal Association of India (FAI), with accreditation from international governing body Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF). A day after the Mumbai launch last week, world football body FIFA had denied official recognition for Premier Futsal.

Indian football governing body, All India Football Federation (AIFF), had denied any official recognition to the futsal competition conducted by Premier Futsal Management Limited (PFML).

Kohli is one of the co-owners of FC Goa in the Indian Super League conducted by IMG-Reliance under the aegis of AIFF.

A Premier Futsal release on Monday has a statement from Kohli, saying: “I am tremendously excited to be a part of Premier Futsal and motivated to positively contribute to the development of this wonderful new sport in India.”

Premier Futsal chairman Xavier Britto said: “It is our great pleasure to have India’s current favourite sportsman as the brand ambassador.”