Action
The billionaire, Bollywood and the future of Indian football
MUMBAI (Reuters) – A storm could be brewing in India’s top-flight football, a glamorous and acrimonious world that encompasses Asia’s richest man, the cream of Bollywood and a self-styled former gangster.
Mukesh Ambani, the billionaire tycoon who commands the Reliance Industries corporate empire that owns the Indian Super League, is facing pushback to his family’s dominance from some executives in the country’s football association and clubs.
At stake is the financial future of football in a country devoted to cricket. The outcome of the power struggle could also help shape whether India can ever become a world force in the game, realising ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s description of being a “sleeping giant” – and, of course, the big dream: whether it can one day play in or even host a World Cup.
Ambani’s holding group launched the Indian Super League, an elite competition of newly created teams, in 2014 with the aim of attracting investment and big global names, much like the Indian Premier League has in cricket.
However tensions have been building over who ultimately calls the shots: the Indian football association, which technically governs football at all levels, or Ambani’s group which owns the top league of 10 teams.
It’s a rare power split in global football, and a recent dispute between Ambani’s camp and the association illustrated differing visions over the direction of the Indian game, whose national team is ranked 108th globally.
This year, before the COVID-19 pandemic, a top executive at India’s football association, Kushal Das, wrote to Martin Bain, the Ambani lieutenant who heads Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), a Reliance holding company that owns the league.
The national coach, employed by the association, has complained that the enlisting of so many foreign recruits in Indian football could hold back the development of home-grown players. Das, in a March email exchange seen by Reuters, said the governing body had the right to limit the number of foreign players allowed to compete in the Super League.
The dismissal was swift.
“Contrary to the position in your email, all competition regulations rather need approval from FSDL,” Bain responded, according to a copy of the email exchange seen by Reuters.
The football association backed down for this season.
Representatives for Reliance and FSDL did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this article. The football association’s media director, Nilanjan Datta, declined to comment, but said questions about tensions with FSDL were “baseless”.
Requests for comment from Bain and Das, via FSDL and the association, were not responded to.
Indian game of two halves
The player issue is disputed globally; some argue imported veterans stand in the way of domestic talent, while others say they haul up standards and share skills and experience.
But the exchange also reflects a conflict within the Indian game.
FSDL and the Ambani family’s supporters says the Super League has raised awareness and money for a disorderly and underinvested sector, and brought in marquee players such as Italy’s Alessandro Del Piero and France’s Robert Pires.
Ambani’s wife Nita, FSDL’s chair and the public face of the league, has expressed hope India will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and one day host the event. And some Super League club owners are committed to what they consider a football revolution.
“Indian players are benefiting from the arrival of quality foreigners and coaches,” said Mandar Tamhane, CEO of JSW Bengaluru FC. “Football has become a lot more tactical and technical,” he added. “The exposure has helped Indian football develop.”
But the Ambanis’ influence is resented by some club owners in India’s traditional football league, the I-League, who say the Super League is sucking attention and investment from the rest of the game and stunting its long-term development.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is a hostile takeover if there ever was one. They basically own football,” said Ranjit Bajaj, a self-described former gangster who found redemption in football, and a prominent figure in the game who took Punjab’s I-League side to a national championship in 2018 as its owner. “It’s really sad.”
The Ambanis did not respond to requests for comment made via Reliance.
The family is accustomed to domestic business dominance.
The Reliance empire, with a market value of about $153 billion, includes India’s leading telecom firm, a major retailer, its largest refining complex, a news outlet and a Bollywood studio. The group’s revenue last fiscal year accounted for around 3% of India’s $2.9 trillion economy.
‘Such a difficult situation’
Reliance and partner IMG Worldwide bailed out the cash-strapped football association a decade ago, pledging around $140 million over 15 years in return for sponsorship, licensing rights and running the Super League.
The association remains dependent on the deal money. It sent six emails to Reliance executives between May and October last year, reviewed by Reuters, saying payments of $6 million had not been received. One warned of a “severe cash flow crunch” and said the association had to put payments to suppliers on hold.
A Reliance executive answered twice, once saying it would take more time to release the payment and then saying the payment was in process.
Reliance did not respond to requests for comment on this email exchange.
The football association has considered whether it would be possible to renegotiate parts of the contract, according to an audio recording reviewed by Reuters of its president speaking to I-League executives at a meeting last year, although it is not clear which parts.
“When you’re dealing with a giant like FSDL, whose parent is Reliance, legally you will land up in such a difficult situation,” association President Praful Patel said in the July meeting.
He said FSDL had saved the association from falling into debt, adding “They have invested so much money.”
Patel did not respond to requests for comment made via the football association.
Business meets Bollywood
Thus far, however, the Super League itself is proving neither hugely popular nor lucrative – a rarity for an Ambani venture. Stadium attendances have halved over the past six years, and the pandemic is likely to worsen the situation.
Of course, creating a profitable league in cricket-mad India was always going to be a tough task. But industry veterans say Ambani erred by excluding India’s original clubs and creating a standalone tournament without promotion or relegation.
“It was 100% a wasted opportunity. The money coming in is welcome, but it should be spent in a proper manner – not just creating a hype,” said leading sports commentator Novy Kapadia.
The Super League’s original eight clubs were owned by Bollywood heavyweights like Ranbir Kapoor, cricket champions including Sachin Tendulkar and prominent businessmen, though several have since exited. Two new teams joined in 2017.
Ambani’s group initially projected, in 2014, that clubs would be profitable within about five years, according to an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter.
However none of original eight clubs, whose latest financial statements were reviewed by Reuters, had broken even by March 2019, save for Bengaluru, with about $234,000 in profit.
FSDL, of which Reliance owns 65% and Walt Disney-owned broadcaster Star India 35%, has significant control over clubs, according to a draft 2014 contract seen by Reuters.
Clubs must select coaches from a league-approved list, cannot sell shares without approval and must spend at least $500,000 per season on marketing.
Star India referred questions to FSDL.
Sports commentator Kapadia said the league’s future depended on billionaires continuing to bankroll their clubs, especially as the next season could be delayed and played without foreign players or spectators due to the coronavirus.
“The hit will be very severe,” he said, but added the league would continue “as long as there are enough rich people in India to burn money”.
Reporting and photo: Reuters
Action
Reethi Faru Resort hosts Magda Linette ahead of new tennis season
Reethi Faru Resort recently welcomed Magda Linette, a Top 20 professional tennis player, who selected the island resort as her training retreat while preparing for the Australian Open and the forthcoming tennis season. Away from the competitive spotlight, Linette utilised the resort’s private and tranquil setting, where expansive beaches, clear lagoon waters, and discreet luxury provided an environment conducive to both focused preparation and recovery.
Throughout her stay, Linette combined intensive training sessions with periods of rest, making use of the resort’s calm surroundings and seclusion. The natural setting of the Maldives offered an effective backdrop for physical conditioning and mental focus, supporting her preparations ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam tournament.
Known for its emphasis on privacy, understated luxury, and an authentic island atmosphere, Reethi Faru Resort continues to attract elite athletes seeking a destination that supports peak performance while delivering a refined island experience. The resort extended its best wishes to Linette as she progresses through the upcoming tennis season.
Action
A season of discovery at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives continues to offer unforgettable encounters as manta season begins in the Raa Atoll, with recent marine sightings delighting guests and setting an exciting tone for the months ahead. This past week, a large playful group of dolphins cruised very close along the resort’s house reef, while a rare ornate eagle ray was spotted for several days gliding gracefully through the lagoon — remarkable moments that highlight the rich biodiversity surrounding the island.
These encounters are made all the more special by the resort’s commitment to preserving the natural serenity of its marine environment. At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, sustainability goes beyond words — it shapes every experience offered through the watersports and dive center. By focusing exclusively on non-motorized watersports, the resort helps protect delicate reefs, safeguard marine life, and reduce noise and pollution, ensuring that guests experience the ocean in its purest, most harmonious form.

Encounter Majestic Mantas in Raa Atoll
While the resort offers a wide range of aquatic experiences to explore the atoll’s vibrant marine world, now is the ideal time to encounter one of its most majestic creatures – the manta ray. Although mantas can be seen all year round, sightings peak in the Raa Atoll during this season, (December to May) as they migrate in numbers, drawn by plankton-rich waters and multiple cleaning stations.
In the waters surrounding the resort, guests can embark on dive excursions at shallow depths of 10–15 meters, offering remarkable opportunities to see groups of mantas gliding gracefully, as well as observe their social interactions and cleaning behavior. Enriched by the dive team’s insightful storytelling, each experience becomes even more meaningful.
Early morning dives often provide the most rewarding encounters, while beginner and non-divers can enjoy guided private snorkel trips — a peaceful way to witness these gentle giants from the surface.
From kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to sailing, snorkeling, and diving, every ocean adventure at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is thoughtfully designed to inspire a deeper connection with the sea while respecting its fragile beauty. This mindful approach ensures that Raa Atoll’s underwater paradise can continue to thrive for generations to come.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives Welcomes New Euro-Divers Team
Further enhancing these experiences, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is delighted to welcome new members to its Euro-Divers team, bringing fresh energy, diverse expertise, and a shared passion for marine conservation to the resort’s in-house dive center.
Hailing from Colombia, Lorena Diaz is an experienced instructor known for her warmth, professionalism, and multilingual skills. Passionate about sharing the underwater world, she has a natural ability to put guests at ease both above and below the surface.
Joining her is Fabio Gerosa from Italy, a certified dive instructor and marine biologist from the University of Bicocca Milano. His scientific background adds depth to every dive, offering guests fascinating insights into marine ecosystems while reinforcing the importance of ocean conservation.
Also part of the team is Yuan, originally from China, who has been diving since 2010 and brings extensive international experience from Egypt, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, and the Maldives. Having worked with Euro-Divers Maldives since 2017, Yuan loves both pelagic species and tiny ocean creatures, but for her, the true magic of diving lies in the feeling of complete freedom underwater. On land, she enjoys unwinding with a good movie or an engaging story.
Leading the team as Dive Center & Watersports Manager is Igor Semenov, who brings 15 years of experience managing dive centers and watersports operations around the world. A seasoned leader with a wealth of international expertise, Igor is focused on delivering innovative, memorable guest experiences while maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.

With their blend of international experience, scientific knowledge, and passion for marine conservation, the Euro-Divers team is perfectly placed to guide guests through unforgettable ocean adventures.
New and enriched offerings include enhanced eco-diving programs, guided marine biology sessions, tailored non-motorized watersports activities, and more beginner-friendly snorkel excursions with private guides, making the underwater world accessible to everyone.
Reflecting on what makes operating at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives in Raa Atoll so special, Igor shares, “The pristine reefs, rich biodiversity, and unique manta encounters make it a dream location. Every dive feels like a discovery, and sharing that with guests is incredibly rewarding.”
“Year after year, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives continues to deliver the experiences that make it a standout destination for ocean lovers,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager. “From awe-inspiring marine encounters to the guidance of our exceptional dive team, we are committed to inspiring discovery, adventure, and a lasting appreciation for the world beneath the surface.”
With manta season in full swing and spectacular wildlife sightings unfolding around the island, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives and its Euro-Divers team invite guests to discover the beauty and wonder of the Raa Atoll’s mesmerizing marine world.
Action
Denise Höfer returns to The Nautilus Maldives for four-day padel programme in March 2026
The Nautilus Maldives is set to welcome back Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 padel player and a leading global ambassador of the sport, for a renewed edition of its Masters for Masters series, taking place from 25 to 28 March 2026. This four-day programme invites families, couples and players of every level to discover Padel as a joyful shared adventure, guided by one of the world’s most inspiring Padel athletes.
Padel has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, celebrated for its accessibility and its ability to bring people together. Fast, intuitive and inherently social, it is the perfect sport for parents and children, partners and friends. With its playful nature and quick learning curve, Padel creates rare moments where beginners and seasoned players can genuinely enjoy the game side by side.
In this spirit, The Nautilus presents a Padel Masterclass shaped by connection. Whether learning your first rally with your partner, watching your children gain confidence on the court, or joining a spirited group session with fellow travellers, the programme transforms play into an experience of shared joy and discovery.
Guests will train with Denise Höfer across a curated line up of classes. Tailored, on-demand experiences including Couples Escape, Family Fun, Cardio Padel and Padel × Wellness invite guests to hyper-personalise their journey, blending movement with mindfulness, and performance with light hearted enjoyment. Complimentary daily sessions feature a Group Masterclass and a Children’s Masterclass, each thoughtfully crafted to suit different learning styles and skill levels.
After energising mornings on the court, guests can retreat to Solasta Spa for treatments inspired by natural flow and deep release. Personalised massages, stretching rituals and ocean-influenced therapies provide a gentle counterbalance to the day’s activities, inviting both body and mind to settle into a state of restoration. The experience becomes a soothing rhythm of movement, rest and reconnection, perfectly aligned with the private island’s unhurried philosophy.
With just 26 ultra-luxury houses and residences in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus offers the ideal setting for meaningful time together. Days unfold freely, guided not by schedules but by the simple desire to savour each moment. Whether learning a new skill as a family, sharing a playful match at sunset, or cheering one another from the sidelines, every experience becomes part of a memory shaped by spontaneity and warmth.
The Padel Masterclass with Denise Höfer invites guests to discover more than technique. It offers a chance to bond, to grow and to reconnect with the joy of learning something new together. At The Nautilus, this journey is shaped not by rules, but by the freedom to follow your own rhythm.
Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 Padel Player, shares: “I’m thrilled to be returning to The Nautilus for this special edition of its Masters for Masters series. The Nautilus’s Padel court is truly one of my favourites in the world: it’s incredible setting and stunning lagoon views create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I can’t wait to share this unique experience with The Nautilus guests once again.”
Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Denise Höfer back to our shores. Having an athlete of her talent and success return to our island is a true honour and offering our guests the rare opportunity to train with her makes this event genuinely exceptional.”
Event Details:
- Dates: 25 to 28 March 2026
- Location: The Nautilus Maldives
To learn more about Denise Höfer and this exclusive experience, please visit the resort’s website. To book your stay, please contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com
-
News1 week agoFour Centara resorts in Maldives target school-holiday travellers with extended-stay offers
-
News1 week agoCinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives wraps Christmas celebrations, prepares NY 2026 line-up
-
News1 week agoHoliday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives unveils week-long Orthodox Christmas celebrations
-
News6 days agoInterContinental Maldives Maamunagau rings in 2026 with ocean-inspired festive programme
-
News1 week agoKuda Villingili Resort Maldives marks Year of the Horse with four-day Lunar New Year programme
-
Drink6 days agoHuvafen Maldives hosts exclusive Riedel Wine experience led by Maximilian J. Riedel
-
News6 days agoFinolhu unveils ‘A Year in Colour’ with global artist residencies in 2026
-
News7 days agoSun Siyam Olhuveli marks end of 2025 with sustainability-led programmes


