Kolkata: ZEEL (Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited), in association with Indian Football Associatian (IFA) and premier clubs of Bengal have launched the ZEE Bangla Football League(ZBFL) at a city hotel introducing Sourav Ganguly as the brand ambassador of the league.
Utpal Kumar Ganguly, Secretary of IFA, addressing on the launch of the league said, IFA is delighted to partner this unique opportunity for Bengal's top U19 footballers to showcase their talents, at what is set to be the biggest carnival of Bangla football till date. Together with Zee, IFA is setting the ideal platform to help these boys achieve their potential.
Mukund Carae, COO: International and Head-Sports Business, ZEEL said, "We are delighted to host the inaugural season of ZBFL. This will be Bengal's annual football league, aimed at bringing together and nurturing emerging footballers. With an increasing number of sports leagues in the country, we at Zee are elated to offer regional fans an immersive and engaging platform to consume the game and to be part of this talent hunt."
Cairae also added after announcing Ganguly as Brand Ambassador saying, "Sourav's immense popularity amongst our target audience coupled with being a strategic thinker and a visionary leader, makes him the perfect match for our league and resonates with our league's proposition. He embodies all the values that our viewers need to focus on, while prepping for their future."
Business Head Bangla Cluster of ZEEL, Samrat Ghosh said, "Zee has been a pioneer and been playing a big role in providing platforms to new talents. Taking this legacy forward, this year, Zee Bangla and Zee Bangla Cinema, along with our sports vertical, have taken the initiative to nurture U19 footballers and provide them the much-needed platform in the form of
Zee Bangla Football League. This League aims to showcase new talents to millions of fans and viewers across the globe via Zee Bangla Cinema channel. We are happy that after Dadagiri, we are getting another chance to associate with Sourav Ganguly for ZBFL."
The inter-district event will be based on league knockout format over 4 weeks. The league consisting 16 districts and 4 football clubs from West Bengal, will bring to the limelight more than 360 new sporting talents from 26th May to 23rd June. Thus, creating a regional platform and paving the path to the national football circuit.
The upcoming season of ZBFL promises to be action-packed, offering nail-biting football matches for viewers across the state. Fans can catch the action of ZBFL Season 1 at East Bengal and Mohun Bagan grounds, on the Zee Bangla Cinena channel and digital platform Zee5 as the schedule will be announced in due course.(UNI)