I-League: Big moment for Chennai City FC- Details here
What's the story
I-League club Chennai City FC made a big announcement on Wednesday, when they revealed that FC Basel have acquired 26% share in the Indian club to promote youth development.
This is a big moment for Indian football and a first-of-its-kind deal.
The investment will help develop a residential youth academy in Coimbatore and subsequently, more football schools will be rolled out throughout the state.
Twitter Post
FC Basel confirm the move
Der FC Basel 1893 engagiert sich im Rahmen einer Minderheitsbeteiligung beim indischen Fussball-Traditionsverein @ChennaiCityFC. 👉🏼 Alle Infos zur Partnerschaft gibt es hier: https://t.co/24LWJK5sKU#FCBasel1893 #zämmestark #rotblaulive
— FC Basel 1893 (@FCBasel1893) February 6, 2019
Partnership
FC Basel will help develop and expand junior academies
An official club statement read, "FC Basel are expanding its business, and is becoming involved by taking a minority stake in the Indian traditional football club, Chennai City FC . The strategic partnership is focused on joint training of talent, close cooperation in the area of scouting as well as the development and expansion of junior academies in southern India."
Chennai City FC
'Good equation the focus between the two clubs'
Chennai City FC co-owners Rohit Ramesh and R Krishnakumar announced that the focus will be on infrastructure.
"There have been deals between Indian football clubs and international football clubs in the past but this is very different. We want to have a good equation between the two clubs and more professionalism. We just want to focus only on infrastructure," said Ramesh.
Journey
Chennai City have made rapid strides in last few years
Chennai City are currently second in the I-League table and trail Real Kashmir FC by two points. But the southern club has two matches in hand.
Chennai City have made rapid strides in the last couple of years and this move will further help them.
Co-owner Ramesh also confirmed that the club will remain in I-League and not seek a move to the ISL.