Premier League-backed Football Movement to discuss growth in India

The third edition of Premier League-backed 'The Football Movement' is all set to be held in Mumbai on February 22 and February 23.

The UK Department for International Trade (DIT) together with the Premier League and India On Track are bringing Premier League and Indian football clubs, sports organizations and businesses together to focus on 'Commercial Sustainability and the Growth of Football in India'

The two-day conference will feature keynote speakers including Premier League Managing Director Richard Masters, Director General of UK Department for International Trade, India and South Asia and representatives of the Indian Super League (ISL), Premier League clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Panel sessions, workshops and keynote speeches will provide a platform for UK and Indian businesses to discuss opportunities and issues they currently face from a commercial sustainability perspective and the road ahead for each sector.

Former Manchester United player Nemanja Vidic will be a special guest at the event and will be speaking about his experiences playing in the Premier League.

"It is clearly an exciting time for football in India at the moment. As a professional footballer, I saw firsthand not just the passion for the Premier League but also how football can positively impact communities around the world. I am looking forward to bringing some of my own Premier League experiences to the Football Movement conference next week," Vidic said.

Richard Masters, Premier League Managing Director, on the other hand, said, "The continued popularity of the ISL, the success of the recent U17 FIFA World Cup and the millions of passionate Premier League fans demonstrate the growing interest in football in India. We work extremely closely with the ISL, AIFF and other organisations to support the development of the game at all levels. The Football Movement conference provides opportunity to discuss further ways to grow the sport. I have no doubt that this year's event will see productive sessions that address how to maintain continued growth of the game both on and off the pitch.