New Delhi: Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke said that the proposed Indian Super League would help Indian football as the country needs big-ticket tournaments and stars to raise the profile of the game.
Yorke, here for a promotional programme, has been linked with the ISL proposed to be held by All India Football Federation's commercial partners IMG-Reliance in September. "I think India is passionate about football, especially the youth. I feel that tournaments like the proposed ISL would go a long way in raising the profile of the game in the country," Yorke, the brand ambassador of Manchester United, said.
"You need big leagues and big stars play in India. I feel ISL would do just that. There is a lot of buzz around ISL and I am hoping that it happens. I am looking forward to that and hope to be part of the league," said Yorke, who has confirmed his availability for the league.
Yorke, however, said that he is yet to signed on the dotted lines for the league. "No, I am interested in the league but have not signed a contract yet," said Yorke at a programme to celebrate Cheverolet's partnership with Manchester United as official automotive partner.
The 42-year-old former Trinidad and Tobago captain who retired in 2009, also said that India needs players to ply trade outside the country to improve its football profile. "As somebody from a country which is not among the elite in the world, I can say that India will need to develop its league, produce some big players who play outside the country in some big leagues," he said.
"Hopefully, India will have such players in future. You need a beginning, a player who would be the first to do that and others will follow." Yorke, who had acted as assistant coach of Trinidad and Tobago during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, said he is on his way to take up full time coaching.
"I will be qualified to become a manager in the next eight months when I get my license. In the next one year and a half, I will see from where I will start." Asked if he would love to coach the Indian team in future. "Of course, I would love to. It's not my first visit in India and I know football is passionate here."
Yorke admitted Manchester United's woeful form this season in the English Premier League and said his former club was facing transition pangs. "Some big players have left and a new coach is there. The club is in a transition phase. It's not easy for (coach) David Moyes," he said.
Yorke picked his former team-mate Paul Scholes as his best Manchester United player. "It has to be Paul Scholes. He is the complete player."
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