Australian cricketing legend Ricky Ponting was the first patron on board ARFAI. He was the one who actually kickstarted footy promotion in India through a media event organised in Kolkata back in early 2008, facilitated by the Australian Trade Commission, where he was plying his trade with the Kolkata Knight Riders in inaugural season of IPL. The event was a cross-promotion of AFL and Kabaddi and was the stepping stone of Footy in India.