Ganguly thanks fans for tremendous reception to ISL

Thanking football lovers of the country for the spontaneous positive reception offered to the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament, Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) co-owner Sourav Ganguly said Saturday that the inaugural competition could only get better in the years to come.

"Reception of the tournament by the country has been tremendous. Everyone has stood up and taken note of the ISL," Ganguly said at the half-time interval in the final between ATK and Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters FC at the D.Y Patil stadium here.

"ISL can only get better. People have thronged the grounds to watch matches with most venues having sell-out crowds. I come from a football city so I know how it feels to see a packed football ground but other parts of the country where football isn't so popular are also embracing ISL. It is a good sign," he added.

Standing alongside him was his former batting partner Tendulkar, with whom he shared many memorable batting partnerships during their playing days.

Asked how it felt to have their teams competing against each other in the final, Ganguly said that sense of rivalry was certainly new to them.

"We have been competing in one way in the cricketing field, but this sense of competition is entirely different," the former Indian captain said.

Sachin Tendulkar said the platform of this competition is very different despite the considerable weight of cricket that his and Ganguly's names bring.

"With dada (Ganguly) it has been a sheer joy to be on the same team playing together. We have practically grown up together. But this is a different platform. This is about ISL, this is about football," the legend said.

"Big thank you to everyone for supporting football. Wish it helps develop the sport in the country," he said to a cheering Mumbai crowd.