Chairperson’s Message
ISL Club Manual 2018-19

As we get ready to kick off Season 5 of the Hero Indian Super League, I am once again overwhelmed with a sense of great pride and immense gratitude for what we have been able to achieve together in such a short span of time. The undying passion of our players, the unconditional love of our fans, and the unstinted support of all our partners – has created a wonderful footballing revolution in our country! I feel truly blessed that together we have taken long strides towards our dream of making India a football giant on the global stage.

Indian football has had some unbelievable triumphs this year. Our national senior team won the Hero Intercontinental Cup 2018, with our fans cheering wholeheartedly both at the stadiums and on social media. The young men of our Under-20 national team beat footballing titans Argentina in the COTIF Cup tournament in Spain, while our Under-16 boys, defeated Asia’s reigning champions Iraq at the WAFF Cup tournament in Jordan. What amazing achievements! All of us here at Hero ISL laud our wonderful players for their spirited performances and for proving that Indian football is improving day by day. It is most heartening to note that in the FIFA World Rankings, India stands at 96; we are back in the top 100 after two decades. I would like to thank all the patrons and supporters of the Hero ISL for the League’s contribution towards the success of Indian football.

We are indebted to our fans for their love and support, and I am confident that Season 5 will showcase the best of footballing talent seen thus far. I take this opportunity to thank the owners, players, coaches, and managers for their devotion and dedication towards football, and for their determination to revive the game in India.

We at Hero ISL remain steadfast in ensuring clean football and that every game is played in the highest spirit of fairness and sportsmanship. My best wishes to all the clubs for a scintillating Season 5.