English clubs' pre-season in India a real possibility: EPL

By Abhishek HoreNew Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) There is "every possibility" oftop English Premier League clubs touring India for pre-seasongames in the ...

By Abhishek HoreNew Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) There is "every possibility" oftop English Premier League clubs touring India for pre-seasongames in the near future, says EPL's managing director RichardMasters, adding to the frenzy around the revival of footballin the country.

"The popularity of the Premier League and its clubscontinues to grow globally and clubs are always consideringnew countries to visit. There is every possibility that theycould come to India in the future," Masters said.

Earlier this year, the EPL promised to help India grow asa footballing nation with its executive chairman RichardScudamore saying that the world's most glamorous soccer leaguewas taking initiatives towards this endeavour.

He said hosting the U-17 World Cup, the country's firstFIFA tournament, will certainly help in putting India on theglobal football map.

"We know from the work that we do with the ISL and theAIFF that there is a huge amount going on to support footballdevelopment at all levels in India.

"Hosting the FIFA U17 World Cup will be another step inputting India on the global football stage and will hopefullyinspire more talented youngsters to play and take an interestin the sport."The EPL is aware of the popularity the league enjoys inIndia.

"It is great to see the continued growth in popularity offootball in India and the success of the Indian Super League.

Premier League clubs have a growing and committed fan base inIndia and we enjoy keep coming back to engage with them.

"We work very closely with the ISL and the AIFF tosupport the development of football in India, and to useinterest in the Premier League to support the domestic game."Premiership clubs are known for pulling off some of thebiggest signings in the world, precisely the reason it isflooded with a dazzling array of talent.

"In the Premier League we are blessed to have some of themost popular and exciting clubs in the world in ourcompetition.

"They do a fantastic job developing and acquiringtalented and exciting players - the likes of Harry Kane, KevinDe Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to name a few - and that drivesthe interest in our clubs in India and across the world."Masters will be in Bengaluru for the Premier LeagueInternational Fan Park, which is being held in the Garden Cityover the weekend.

Asked about it, he said, "Premier League Live Bengaluruwill be a fantastic event for local fans. They will have theopportunity to come together to watch the weekend's PremierLeague action on a giant screen, and to try fun andinteractive experiences that will bring them closer to theirfavourite clubs.

"There will be sprint zones, skills zones, a PremierLeague Trophy tour bus and new virtual reality technology thatwill enable fans to see and feel the buzz and excitement of aPremier League match day. We know from previous fan parks inIndia that local fans will enjoy the passion and excitement ofthe Premier League across the weekend." PTI AH PMPM.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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