ATK -- Agnimitra Paul (Fashion designer):
“ATK has always been performing well. Since I am from Kolkata, and the ATK team is also from Kolkata, there is no other team I can follow. They have changed the coach this year. Hopefully, they do well with the present set-up.
"I designed the jersey and logo of Jamshedpur FC. So now it will be difficult for me to pick one team when ATK and Jamshedpur play each other. May the best team win.
"I will go and watch one or two matches. In the FIFA Under-17 World Cup the quality of football was very high. The quality of football in the ISL has to match that standard.
"The ISL will now be played over five months. If the quality of football becomes better, then that is the ultimate thing.”
Bengaluru FC -- P. R. Sreejesh (hockey):
“Earlier, BFC was in the I-League and Kerala Blasters was in the ISL. So I could support both teams. But now with both in the same competition, I have this big doubt. I guess when the two teams play in Kerala, I will support Blasters and when the game is in Bangalore, I will support BFC."
Chennaiyin FC --A. Sharath Kamal (Commonwealth Games gold medallist):
"For this season, with a new coach, Chennaiyin FC has a good team and I hope that it will reach the play offs. From there every team has the possibility to win the title.
Delhi Dynamos --Jacqueline Fernandez (Bollywood actress):
“I am really excited and looking forward to interacting with the fans in Delhi. Delhi Dynamos is a team that has been consistent in its performances over the years and hopefully this time we can win the ISL together.”
FC Goa--Virat Kohli:
"Having two new teams this year is a welcome addition. It adds to the competition, and makes the season longer. I think it’s great that we have a longer season now. This allows teams to plan in a better way, and have a proper system in place which can deliver in the long-term. It is closer along the lines of the big football leagues around the world. The players too get a sense of belonging."
Jamshedpur FC --Varun Aaron (India cricketer) :
"Jamshedpur has always been a sporty town, and the Tatas have given a lot to sports. I grew up playing in their academies and using their facilities. Having its own sports team is another jewel in the crown. They have already done a lot. I haven’t followed ISL before, but now I will."
Kerela Blasters --I.M. Vijayan:
“Yes, all of us are excited when we hear about the big names, we seem to be a better side than last year. And Hume’s return is very good news. We entered the final last year, so this year, we will expect a better show from Blasters. But we have not seen them so far, we can only judge a team after probably watching two or three games. Steve Coppell looked very quiet but he was brilliant with his players. Now, we have a new coach and he has brought a new bunch of players, it will be interesting to see what sort of new things the new man will try out.”
Mumbai City FC --Ranbir Kapoor (Bollywood actor and Mumbai City FC co-owner)
“We are very excited with the new squad. Retention of some players from last season will definitely be a big boost. I believe that the exposure and training the team had in Spain will help us a lot this season. Ever since I was a kid I have been a big fan of the sport. So when the opportunity of owning a club presented itself, I didn’t have to think twice. The club is very dear to me, and I wish to see it become one of the best clubs in Asia.”
NorthEast United FC -- Suranjoy Singh
(Boxer-turned-boxing coach; former Asian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist; Arjuna Award winner):
"Football is my favourite game. I follow NorthEast United FC as it is a good team. Last season, it played really well to beat every team before losing steam. It could not maintain its momentum and lost in the later half of the League."
FC Pune City --Arjun Kapoor (Bollywood Actor):
“I grew up watching and playing football. I still actively play with my friends, who also are co-owners at various ISL clubs. What FC Pune City as a club is doing with football is tremendous. I thought of joining them in their endeavour to develop a professional eco-system of football across Maharashtra. We will work collectively to create a special and inspirational team.”
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