Mamata launches Atletico de Kolkata's jersey

Atlético de Kolkata franchise was represented by Ignacio Aguillo, Director of Corporate Development, Atlético de Madrid, Sourav Ganguly, co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata, Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata, Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group, co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata and Utsav Parekh, Chairman, SMIFS Capital Markets Ltd, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata.

The first jersey of the Indian Super League  side was gifted to Banerjee.

The logo of the team represented the 'Royal Bengal Tiger' with wings and five stars above its head which represented the five owners of the team.

The side also declared the names of its Head Coach and Manager - Antonio Lopez Habas, who is the technical coach at  Atlético de Madrid.

Miguel Angel Marin and José Ramirez Barreto were named the Assistant Coaches of the Kolkata side.

The star Marquee Player declared for the side was Luis Garcia.

He has represented Spain in the World Cup, played for top European Clubs such as Barcelona, Liverpool and has also been an Atlético de Madrid player.

Banerjee said, “  In Bengal, specially, football is in our blood. We can forget our food but not football.”

She told the owners:“Whatever assistance you need our Sports Ministry will try to provide it to you."

Former Indian cricket team skipper and co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata Sourav Ganguly said, “ It is the beginning of something special in the world of football in India."

"Football is the game that I had picked even before picking up the cricket bat. It is an opportunity for all of us to give something back to this sport,” he said.

ISL is scheduled to be held from Sept 19 to Nov 30.

(Reporting by Shubhashree Hom)