Goa: India captain Sunil Chhetri lauded the Reliance Foundation Development League for creating a much-needed platform for the next generation of footballers in the country to graduate to the next level."There are so many players, especially youngsters, who do not get enough chances. Some of them when they do get it, they make the most out of it. Reliance Foundation Development League is the right step forward in the right direction. So many players of different teams who did not get enough chances in the ISL, played and are playing here. They can also look forward to playing 90 minutes in a competitive tournament," Chhetri, the Indian football icon and inspiration for budding footballers said.
The first-ever RFDL saw seven Indian Super League clubs and Reliance Foundation Young Champs compete for the top honours, with the top two teams getting a chance to participate in the NextGen Cup to be held in the UK. On Thursday, Bengaluru FC became the champions as Kerala Blasters FC finished runners-up, meaning both teams will participate in the NextGen Cup.The talismanic Chhetri thanked Reliance Foundation for investing in the first-ever Development League, saying they have done what was really needed."Congratulations, Reliance Foundation for doing what was really needed," added the Bengaluru FC skipper.