NEW DELHI: I-League outfit Chennai City FC claims it is set for a collaboration with a top European club primarily focusing on infrastructure development, owner Rohit Ramesh has said.
Ramesh though, refused to divulge the name of the club, citing confidentiality clause.
“We are tying up with an European club, which is very well-known among Indian football fans. The collaboration will mainly focus on developing infrastructure with their help,” Ramesh told newswire PTI.
Regarding the tie-up, Ramesh told the newswire: “This will include infrastructure development, ensuring that there are activities as far residential academies are concerned, sharing of knowledge and technical know-how and also knowing the community.
“Bringing in expertise in helping us design infrastructure academy and artificial pitch.”
The southerners had earlier tied up with Finland’s JS Hercules. “That was last year when we got into a cooperation agreement with JS Hercules. It was basically on trade, getting help through commercial activities. Our main objective is to place our infrastructure in place. We are trying to create strong grassroot programmes, have our own residential academy, and are also looking to tie up with all government institutes. We should kick start by end of this year. Tie-ups with universities are also in the offing.”
“We have a couple of tie-ups with universities and colleges in Coimbatore, we are looking to contribute players from the state and create a talent pool. We have invested a lot in the men’s team infrastructure and academy. We spent around Rs 3.5 crore (Rs 35 million) on the Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore, doing the players’ dressing rooms, stands and got two new floodlights installed of European company,” Ramesh told PTI.
