First edition of Afghan Premier League kicks off

MUMBAI: The first edition of the Afghan Premier League (APL) has kicked off in Afghanistan and will run till 19 October.

The Afghan Football Federation and the Moby group is using this football initiative to rebuild Afghanistan. Grey Matter has been invited to produce the live pictures as well as the studio show around the live matches.

The matches are airing on Afghan channels Tolo TV and Lemar TV. There is live radio commentary. Also, all the matches are on You Tube and on a site afghanpremierleague.com for digital access across the world.

Grey Matter Entertainment founder Chandradev Bhagat said that Afghan Premier League is not just an entertainment and money making idea. ?It?s backed by profound emotions and feelings of the Afghani people. It is a wind of change for the people of the war torn country to celebrate and enjoy their life. For the sports starved Afghani?s, the Afghan Premier League is a personal asset that they cherish and thrive upon.?

"Local players are taking part. Including international players would have alienated the League from its people and wouldn?t create the appeal it has created now," he added.

APL is one of the biggest live productions ever attempted in Afghanistan. ?For me as a director, it is very important to tell the complete story and the story is more than just football. It is the happy faces on a family outing, the joy of celebration for the eyes that has seen enough bloodshed and the pure love and passion for the game that we are trying to capture. So, apart from the live matches, we are showcasing the sights and sounds of Afghanistan on-tour diaries with the players visiting various institutions with a social cause.?

For the studio TV show, two local stars have been roped in as hosts.

Grey Matter was also involved with the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) in cricket. Asked about the learning?s from that event, Bhagat said tournaments like these are a melting pot creating great platform for exposure to new and fresh talent. ?In the SLPL we focused on young talent on display. In the APL, we are again making a huge effort in molding the young stars by cementing their confidence and by familiarising them in the Afghani household. This also increases the fan base."