Kolkata francise of ISL launched
Owner of Atletico Madrid and part owner of the Kolkata outfit Miguel Angel Gil Marin along with former Indian cricket captain and an avid soocer lover Sourav Ganguly and city business personalities Sajiv Goenka, Harsh Neotia and Utsav Parekh launched the team brand.
Kolkata franchise is the first to be launched among the eight franchisees of the ISL.
The five francisee owners have formed a joint venture company named 'Kolkata Games and Sports Private Limited' to be managed and run by Atletico de Kolkata.
Launching Atletico de Kolkata, Miguel said, “Atletico is very excited at the prospect of creating a connection with one of the largest demographics for football globally. Our joint ownership of the club is the testimony of our commitment to the Kolkata franchise of ISL. Through this francise the club will try to improve the game in India and help design a series of sports centric growth models. We will utilise our athletic and management expertise in promoting sports and developing Atletico de Kolkata”
Miguel also said that Atletico Mardrid was also looking forward to set up a soccer academy so that talents from the grass root level are able to flourish and even play for the Atletico Madrid if found suitable in the days to come.
Speaking on the occasion, former Indian cricket captain and one of the co-owners of the Kolkata francisee Sourva Ganguly said, “ I want football should also earn as much glory and glamour as cricket in India. Our club will try and bring together the best talent to form a team and regain Kolkata’s position in Indian soccer. We will give the football audience here a level of play which is par international and create a pride and passion similar to what we see in international tournaments.”
It has been learnt that the Madrid outfit would bring its top coaches and management staff to India to train the Kolkata side.
The Mardrid club would also make trips to Kolkata to play exhibition matches.
As the next step Atletico Madrid would be sending a scout to gain deeper insight into the style of football being played here. This would be followed by appointment of a coach in the next two or three weeks who will work along with an Indian coach.
Kolkata co-owner Harsh Neotia informed that they are yet to finalise the recruitment of players and an Indian coach as it required sanction from the ISL which they hoped to get soon.
Veteran Olympian and former india soccer captain P K Bnerjee was also present on the occasion
(Reporting by Manik Banerjee)
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