CHENNAI: The defending champions of the Indian Super League (ISL), Chennaiyin FC are all set to extend their reach beyond the shores of the country by playing a one-off pre-season friendly match in Malaysia with the Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA) on 4 September.
Like Chennaiyin FC, MIFA was also founded in 2014, and is co-owned by the Malaysian Indian Sports Council and the Malaysian Indian Football Association. They currently compete in the Malaysian Premier League, the second tier of Malaysian football, and finished third in the 2018 season.
The aim behind the move is not only to gain much-needed game time prior to the start of the ISL in September but also to connect with Indian expats in a foreign country. The partnership between the club and MIFA will also include visits to two Tamil schools in Malaysia, Vivekananda Tamil School and Fletcher Tamil School on 2 September as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The two parties are discussing the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will make friendlies between both sides an annual affair, with a friendly match also likely to be played in Chennai in 2019.
“We are excited to play a pre-season friendly against a team that is doing great things for the Malaysian-Indian populace here. On behalf of the club I would like to thank MIFA for initiating this friendly match. MIFA had a very good domestic season and are doing very well in the Malaysia Cup. We are looking forward to a very tough and exciting contest on September 4 and also engage with the Indian community here in Malaysia,” Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory ssaid at a media briefing.
MIFA general secretary K.V. Anba added, “MIFA wishes to welcome the current champions of Indian Super League, Chennaiyin FC to Malaysia. Through this close working relationship with Chennaiyin FC, MIFA is certain both clubs will scale to greater heights through effective management and sustenance via sound developmental programs. Thank you Chennaiyin FC for the opportunity to work together. Let the journey begin.”
