Mumbai: Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan today joined the Indian Super League (ISL) bandwagon as he became a co-owner of FC Pune City, one of the eight franchises that will be competing in the tournament starting Sunday.
The Rajesh Wadhawan Group-owned Pune franchise announced its association with the star here. Roshan said, "I am honoured to be associated with the Indian Super League (ISL), which represents India's first effort at professional football. It is definitely the next big sporting brand in our country and will give young football talent a solid platform. I hope my partnership with FC Pune City adds further strength to the team and star players' football expertise."
Speaking on the development, Gaurav Modwel, CEO, FC Pune City said, "We are extremely pleased to have Hrithik Roshan as a co-owner of FC Pune City. He is a youth icon and his association with FC Pune City will give us a huge impetus in connecting with the youth. With the ISL, we want to make football a household name and the star power of Hrithik will help us drawing audiences across categories."
Salman Khan later took to Twitter to clarify why he cannot associate with the FC Pune City team.
1/4: I do not own any ISL team. My friends Dheeraj & Kapil Wadhawan had asked me to be their partner in FC Pune City.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 20142/4:But due to my endorsement contracts with Suzuki and Thums Up which conflict with the League sponsors, I can't associate with FCPuneCity.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 20143/4: I wish ISL all success.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 20144/4: By creating ISL, IMG-Reliance and Star have put in place an important building block to put Indian football on the global football map.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 2014I endorse Nita Ambani's vision in the football grassroots program and will work wholeheartedly in supporting it.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 2014The football grassroots program will shape the next generation of Indian footballers.
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) October 9, 2014
