KOCHI: The fourth edition of Indian Super League 2017-18 was kicked off in style at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday with Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif vowing the packed audience through their dazzling performance during the opening ceremony. Though nearly 50,000-strong yellow brigade turned up the at the stadium to cheer the Blasters players, they couldn’t sit on their chairs when the duo performed an item song on stage from their upcoming film Tiger Zinda Hai. While Katrina Kaif’s fast moves enthralled the fans, Salman’s grand entry on his Being Human e-cycle to the stadium excited the spectators.
The joy of the spectators doubled when Sachin Tendulkar and mega star Mammootty joined the celebrations along with ISL chairperson Nita Ambani. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also attended the blockbuster event which lasted for nearly an hour. The Chief Minister wished the players of Blasters and defending champions Atletico De Kolkata before kick-off of the opening game.
Dance performances and traditional art forms of Kerala added glitz to the festive atmosphere. “We are so happy as this is the first time we are getting an opportunity to see such a colourful start to the ISL,” said Manoj, a spectator who came all the way from Malappuram to watch the opening game.
The four-month-long ISL season will come to an end with the final match scheduled to be held in Kolkata on March 18.