Chennai: Abhishek Bachchan is back to his second home. The junior Bachchan has made winning a habit in professional leagues that have sprouted in various sports in India. If his Jaipur Pink Panthers nailed the inaugural Pro Kabaddi League in 2014, the actor’s football team, Chennaiyin FC, reigned supreme in the second edition of the Indian Super League last year.
With the fourth season of the kabaddi league scheduled to start from June 25, Abhishek believes the sport-loving public of Chennai have embraced Pink Panthers as their team and said it was the sole reason behind his team’s choosing the city as their training base. The 40-year-old held forth on football and kabaddi in an interview to Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.
Excerpts
What is it between you and Chennai?
Chennai has given me and my family so much love and support. The fans here have shown their thumbs up for Pink Panthers as well. I was out for a movie last night and the affection I got was phenomenal. The people of Chennai have adopted Pink Panthers. I think it would be great for Chennai to have a kabaddi team.
Has the pro league changed the face of kabaddi in India?
The fact that PKL is the first sporting league in India to have two seasons in a year is testimony for the popularity of the sport. Television has played an integral part in promoting it. Kabaddi is the second most watched league after the IPL. The league has done a great service to kabaddi at international level because it is mandatory for every team to have at least three foreign players.
Do you think Chennaiyin FC are ready to fill the void left by the absence of Chennai Super Kings for two years?
I would say Chennaiyin FC have already filled the vacuum! At the moment Chennaiyin are the only team from the city taking part in a big professional league. Thus, Chennai’s love for us is a matter of pride for all of us. I will never forget the support the people of Chennai showed during the devastating floods last year. It has a lot to do with the city’s great sporting culture.
How close are you to retaining manager Marco Matterazzi?
We will be making an announcement shortly. As of now, we are in advanced talks.
Elano, Chennaiyin’s marquee player, was arrested after the final last year. Has he shown an inclination to extend his stay with the club?
Let’s see. I haven’t spoken to him after the issue. We would like to put out as competitive a squad, if not a much more competitive one than last year’s. The focus is on working towards retaining the cup.
Stiven Mendoza was one of the stars of your successful campaign. He has gone to play in the Major League Soccer in the US. Will he be back for the ISL?
He is an integral part of the club and we will try our best to have him back in the Chennai dug-out.
The Chennai league was quite successful this year. Have you been following it? There were talks that some local players could be added into squad…
We are doing our best to rope in local talent. But as manager Marco had said it’s not about the players, it’s about the team. We have local man Syed Sabir Pasha as assistant coach. He heads our grassroots programme and is a huge asset for us in identifying local talent. We have spotted a few from the state, but I don’t want to reveal their names now. However, the focus is always on getting the best squad.
You are a big Chelsea fan. How do you see Mourinho’s move to Manchester United?
It’s heartbreaking. Jose is an inspirational figure. I would have loved to see him in Chelsea. We will applaud him once he comes to Stamford Bridge. But once the whistle blows, like Jose would have said, he is on the other side (laughs).
