In a significant move, the BC Jindal Group, one of India’s leading business conglomerates, has announced its entry into the Indian football sector by acquiring the sporting license for Hyderabad FC, a prominent team in the Indian Super League (ISL). This acquisition marks the group’s inaugural step into Indian sports, reflecting its broader vision to elevate the status of sports in India and create opportunities for young talents to compete on the global stage.
Hyderabad FC prepares for upcoming ISL Season
Known affectionately as the Nawabs, Hyderabad FC is gearing up for the 2024-25 ISL season, with their opening match scheduled against Bengaluru FC on September 19, 2024. As the ISL enters its 11th season, it continues to serve as India’s premier football league, dedicated to advancing the level of Indian football to meet international standards.
Quick Rise to Prominence
Hyderabad FC, founded on August 27, 2019, quickly made a name for itself by winning the ISL title in the 2021-22 season, defeating Kerala Blasters in a dramatic final. The team plays its home matches at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, a bustling suburb of Hyderabad.
BC Jindal Group vision for Indian Football
A spokesperson for Hyderabad FC, speaking on behalf of the new ownership, expressed the group’s ambitions for Indian football: “With a population of 1.4 billion, India is a sleeping giant in the world of football. Our entry into the sport through Hyderabad FC is driven by a commitment to identify and overcome the challenges faced by Indian football. We aim to nurture home-grown talent and contribute to the growth of this beautiful game in India. Our vision is to see Indian players compete at the highest international levels, and we dream of the day when India participates in the FIFA World Cup finals. This vision guides our efforts in Indian football.”
About BC Jindal Group
The BC Jindal Group, with a market value of USD 2.5 billion, stands as one of India’s most respected business houses. Established in 1952, the group employs over 10,000 people across India, Europe, and the US, with business interests ranging from flexible packaging films to energy generation and downstream steel products. The group is known for its continuous growth strategy, having successfully executed capital-intensive projects and multiple global acquisitions.
This acquisition of Hyderabad FC underscores the BC Jindal Group’s commitment to fostering Indian sports and their ambition to bring Indian football to the global stage.