ISL is Perfect Stage for Indian Players to be Noticed: Mikael Silvestre

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre says the ISL is a "perfect stage" for Indian players to catch the attention of football world and bring about a positive change in the minds of their parents as far as making careers out of the sport was concerned.

The Frenchman, who had won the UEFA Champions League with United, played in the first edition of Indian Super League for Chennayin FC.

The 37-year-old, who also had stints at Arsenal and Inter Milan, was speaking on the sidelines of Delhi Dynamos FC's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Day celebration here today.

"In the future you can expect players to perform well for three months and get a stint and sign a contract outside India. It will obviously benefit the players, but also the national team, and Indian football in general," Silvestre said.

He added that with the exposure and money that ISL brings, it may change the mentality of Indian "parents who are presently not too interested" in their kids trying to pursue football professionally.

ISL has already given a boost to FC Goa player Romeo Fernandes, who is on loan to Clube Atletico Paranaense in Brazil, and became the first Indian to play in the mecca of football.

Silvestre, who recently got his US Soccer 'A' coaching licence, interacted with over 200 kids in the age group of 6-12 years from various NGOs across Delhi NCR during the Grassroots Day programme.

He showed his juggling skills and in turn the enthusiastic kids showed theirs. The aim of the festival was primarily to generate interest among kids for the sport and also to provide them the right platform to display their skills.

When asked about the eagerly anticipated UEFA Champions League final clash between FC Barcelona and Juventus FC, Silvestre said that the Catalans look the better team.

"They (Barcelona) are doing so well at the moment. Everything is working for them. They are my favourite to win."

Delhi Dynamos FC, who recently conducted open trials at Ambedkar stadium, and previously organised an inter-school tournament that saw participation of 2400 players from 180 schools, are looking to actively tap into the talent pool of Indian youngsters.

"This year we will officially launch the Delhi Dynamos football academy in Delhi," Prashant Agarwal, President of Delhi Dynamos FC, said.

"We will follow the typical pyramid structure, where there will be an elite academy and multiple city feeder centres. The feeder systems will be football schools and clinics," he added.

Asked about next season's marquee player Agarwal said it he will be someone playing competitive football in Europe.