EPL side Reading to set up academy in India in partnership with Kochi's Eagles FC

While the EPL giants favour the Chinese market for an investment, English Premier League side Reading FC has decided to enter India and partner with Eagles FC, Kochi’s Second Division I-League team, to boost football in India.

Reading has gained a reputation as a top training centre, so it comes as good news that they have decided to establish the Reading-Eagles Football Academy in Kochi.

“We have also decided to exchange players and coaches,” said Shaffi Mather, the Director of Eagles FC, after discussions with the top Reading officials on Friday. “And a potential investment in the club, subject to entry in the I-League.”

The tie-up has potential to generate huge rewards for both side, since EPL clubs and players have a huge fan following in India.

“The presence of South Korean players in the Premier League has the Korean media following them closely,” said Christopher Samuelson, Director, Reading. “If there is a player in India who has the potential to play in the Premier League, we would like to train him at our academy.”

One of the aims of this partnership is to prepare a player from Kerala to play in the EPL by the year 2018, a year after the 2017 FIFA Youth World Cup.

What Indian football needs is a big push,” said Nigel Howe, the Chief Executive of Reading. We see a huge potential but you need to develop the core strategies. And the I-League needs to be a sound, strong league.”

“Playing with the country’s top league should be rewarding for the club and the top television channels should be tapped to generate funds. The I-League should be made so attractive that channels would be fighting to get TV rights,” he said.