Nita Ambani replaces Mamata Banerjee to declare ISL open

KOLKATA: It was not West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee but Nita Ambani who declared open the Indian Super League football tournament here today.

Earlier, it had been decided that Banerjee would declare the league open.

Nita, chairperson of IMG-Reliance & founding Chairperson of Football Sports Development ( ISL), completed the formality by saying in Bengali, "Aami Indian Super League er subho suchno korchi (I declare the Indian Super League Open)".

The declaration, which was at the end of 45-minute-long star-studded opening ceremony, was followed by a round of dazzling fireworks in the sky.

Mamata however appeared on the stage before the opening ceremony and thanked the organisers for choosing Kolkata for the inaugural game.