Guwahati, May 31: This city, which has emerged as a hub of national and international football, is likely to add another feather to its cap by hosting the inaugural ceremony of third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) in October.
Assam director of sports Anjan Sarma, who is also the director-general of the Sports Authority of Assam (SAA) that looks after Indira Gandhi Stadium where the ISL matches are held, said: "We were verbally informed about it. But an official intimation is yet to come from the ISL management. It will be a matter of pride for Guwahati and Assam. We would love to extend our full cooperation to an event of its magnitude."
"It is going to be a shot in the arm in our preparation for hosting the Under-17 Fifa World Cup (in 2017). It will take Guwahati's profile to the next level as a host city for football. It is the sport which is followed most in this part of the country and such a programme will motivate the younger generations," SAA secretary Sanjeev Gogoi said.
IMG-Reliance, the tournament organiser, is yet to sign the contract for the stadium with SAA. It is normally signed in June or July.
IMG-Reliance spokesperson Leeladhar Singh told The Telegraph: "The schedule is yet to be finalised. Hopefully, it will be out shortly. There is time to decide on the inaugural ceremony venue. It could be Guwahati, Calcutta, Kochi or elsewhere."
Calcutta had hosted the ceremony for the first edition in 2014 and Chennai hosted it for the second edition in 2015.
Having hosted two editions of the tournament with packed crowds in almost all the matches so far, Guwahati enjoys an edge over Calcutta and Kochi, which are also in the race for the extravaganza that could see the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of Bollywood stars, apart from star cricketers and footballers of the country.
Sources in the Guwahati franchise of the ISL side Northeast United FC (NUFC) were affirmative when an insider told The Telegraph that they "have a bigger task in hand in the next edition of the ISL". The league is likely to kick off in the first week of October.
"We have a bigger task to handle this season, that of the inaugural ceremony, which is most likely to be held in Guwahati. It will be a huge exercise because the Prime Minister and host of filmstars and cricketers who own teams will congregate for the event," the NUFC insider said.
"As far as infrastructure is concerned, it is no more a problem for hospitality in Guwahati with two five-star hotels already available to accommodate high-profile guests and players. After the South Asian Games, the Indira Gandhi Stadium has also got a major facelift," he added.
The five-star hotels - Taj Vivanta and Radisson Blu - have confirmed that they have got booking intimations from IMG-Reliance for the event but were yet to finalise. "Yes, we have got booking requests but we are yet to sign contracts," an official in Radisson Blu told The Telegraph.
After the 33rd National Games in 2007, Guwahati has become a football destination having hosted India's internationals against Malaysia and Nepal, the Federation Cup twice, ISL and AFC Cup matches among major events in the past. It will also host the India-Laos AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on June 8 and the Under-17 Fifa World Cup group league next year.
