Chennai City FC tie up with Finnish Club JS Hercules to boost business

JUST AS THE THE FINAL ROUNDS of the I-League kick off, Chennai City announced their latest tie up with Finnish club JS Hercules who play in the Finnish Second Division. JS Hercules from Oulu, Finland and Chennai City FC, India, signed a long-term cooperation agreement. The agreement is the first of its kind between Finland and India and only a couple of other such partnerships have been made between Indian and European clubs before. Chennai City FC is owned by Mr Rohit Ramesh whose family also runs one of the largest and the oldest media companies in India.

JS Hercules is an association football club established in Oulu, Finland, in 1998. The team started at the lowest level of the Finnish League system and was playing in the Third Division until promoted to Finnish Second Division, Kakkonen for season 2016.

The goal of the partnership is to show the power of football in societies where these two clubs originate and how football can be used to boost business, trade and exchange of knowledge on and off the pitch in order for the whole community to benefit from.

The partnership also includes off-season opportunities including education and work placements for the players and staff of both clubs.

CONCRETE ACTIONS

1. Hercules and Chennai City open a joint venture company in Chennai to boost trade between Finland and the state of Tamil Nadu.

2. Staff and player exchange between the two clubs to improve the sporting success.

3. Exchange of best practices and projects between the clubs; in sport, in business and in social engagement.

QUOTES BY THE CLUBS’ MANAGEMENT

Rohit Ramesh, Owner of Chennai City FC:

“I have been approached by many European clubs before regarding a partnership, but Hercules is the first club that has had something unique to offer. Their innovative and social entrepreneurial approach to sport impressed me. We share a mutual understanding of how football and sport, in general, can be used for the benefit of the community."

Ramesh continued,

"This partnership is also a wonderful opportunity for upcoming players from Tamil Nadu who are a part of Chennai City Football Club – not only to grow as a player but also as a fully-rounded individual with educational and cultural exposure. By joining our forces like this, both clubs make our communities expand our borders. This is football at its best!”

Christian Happel, CEO of JS Hercules: “Immediately when we first contacted Mr. Rohit Ramesh we felt that we have found a person whom to work with on long-term basis. I see this partnership as a huge thing for the Finnish and Indian businesses. This is a state level affair which proves the power of football as the best connector of people and businesses.”

Excerpts from the Chennai City social media updates

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