As the FIFA World Cup 2014 kickstarts in Brazil, Guwahatians are enthused by the arrival of Bollywood actor John Abraham. In fact, as Abraham’s unveiling of his football team called Northeast United FC has raised the temperature of football lovers in the entire Northeast. In a nation where cricket is a religion, Abraham scoops up a football team which will nurture ace footballers from the region. The actor who appeared as a prolific striker in the 2007 Bollywood sport filmDhan Dhana Dhan Goal is now all set to make the country "live the magic".
"One sporting hero can totally change the fabric of a sport in a country. Baichung Bhutia nearly makes it there but we need one hero, the minute we get that hero see how football will change in the country,” says the actor, who is now scouting for talents from Northeast India as he launched the Guwahati franchise of Indian Super League (ISL). The club is owned and operated by John in partnership with I-League outfit Shillong Lajong FC.
Abraham adds, "I always had a fascination for football and North East. When ISL process started, we decided to have the team Guwahati or else we would have stayed away. By naming the team after the entire region, we want to project the eight states as a force to reckon with in Indian football," Abraham further vouches for the popularity of football in the region compared to the other part of India.
Outlining foreign alliances, the star admitted he wants to harness all potential talent from the region, stressing his team represented not one but seven states."I m aware of the rich football talent that exists in northeast region and I am proud to be associated with the Northeast United Football Club. What is unique about this club is that unlike other teams which represent one city our club represents seven states," adds the Bollywood star.
In a lighter note, the Bollywood star adds that as the entire country is expecting "acche din" the northeast region is not different and a new history of football will be scripted hereafter.