Hero Indian Super League, First Major Live Sporting Event Post Pandemic, Begins Today in Goa

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | November 20, 2020 | News

Indian Super League

Marking the return of the first major live sporting event in the country post-pandemic, the 7th season of India's premier football league, the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020,is all set to kick off today at Goa. The tournament, which will run from November to March, is being restricted to a single city – Goa- in view of the pandemic. The ISL has embarked on a unique season this year as the entire league will be played behind closed doors under a bio-secure bubble across three venues in Goa - JL Nehru Stadium (Fatorda), GMC Stadium (Bambolim) and Tilak Maidan (Vasco).

The ISL has mandated that the clubs hire a Hygiene Officer of their own who will be in charge of ensuring the health and safety of the players and team officials throughout the season.

As per the protocols shared with the clubs, everyone involved with the tournament will be required to provide daily health updates through an app specially designed for this purpose.

The ISL has also curated a central medical team and employed a League Hygiene Officer who will issue operational directives and ensure implementation of the safety protocols throughout the tournament.

All the teams have been staying in a bio-secure environment since their arrival. The 10 competing franchises have been divided into three groups with Group A comprising four teams and Group B and C consisting of three sides each.In the first match, defending champions ATK Mohun Bagan will square off against Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim, Goa.

Hero ISL-Dream11 fantasy football

Meanwhile, the Hero Indian Super League will have a fantasy football game in partnership with Dream11 in the 2020-21 season, to heighten the league experience.

Fans can make their own team, with 11 players, with a maximum of seven players from any one team. They can select one goal-keeper, 3-5 defenders, 3-5 midfielders and 1-3 forwards to form their XI. Then they have to select their captain and vice-captain and save the team before joining the contest.

In a first this season, there will be a weekly winner who will get a signed team jersey of their choice.