Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has insisted that his home nation will emerge as a football superpower in years to come.
Tendulkar, who is the highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket, co-owns Kerala Blasters FC, who are competing in the inaugural Indian Super League.
"Football is not as big as cricket in India but I see football becoming really big in time to come," Tendulkar said at the launch of his autobiography Playing It My Way, at Lord's cricket ground on Friday.
"Internationally football is really, really big and India has all the potential to make football as big as anywhere else in the world, but it's not going to happen overnight. It is going to require a mega-effort from everyone and that's what we are trying to do - support all the football players and give them the platform to realise their dreams.
"The response has been really strong and people want to support football and football players in India and make it a big sport."
Kerela Blasters FC currently lie sixth in the eight-team Indian Super League, which is led by Atletico de Kolkata.
Joe Sharratt
