Chennaiyin co-owner Vita Dani wants more women in Indian sport

The Indian Super league’s only female co-owner has vowed to continue 'working from the heart' to inspire more women to get involved in sport.

Vita Dani - along with India Test captain MS Dhoni and Bollywood actor Abhishek Bhachchan - part owns the Chennaiyin FC Franchise in the eight-team Indian football league.

Now in her second year as a team owner in the fledgling league, Dani hopes more women come to the fore in Indian sport, both on and off the field.

"It has been a lovely journey so far and I'm sure it will continue to be so," Dani told Sky Sports.

"My commitment and approach remains the same. We work from the heart here at Chennaiyin. Last year that worked for us and I'm sure it will work again this year.

"I'm sure there are plenty of other women who are doing lots of good work across different sports who are probably not getting the recognition they deserve. But there's always a first time for things and I'm just glad I can be that person.

"I'll be very happy if I can act as a role model and inspire other women to become more involved in sports."

Dani's passion for sport is evident. The mum-of-two is involved in the Mumbai Indians IPL cricket franchise and now hopes to lure the world's table tennis elite to the sub-continent.

"We've already started a Mumbai-based league and now we are targeting the top players in the world to come and play in a league with the top players from India," she said.

"We've already rolled out a fan investment programme, which is the first of its kind, and now we are setting up a knowledge transfer programme. That will involve coaching clinics and will also help target and develop some of the talented players that we have in India."