Kolkata: The Kolkata franchise of the much-anticipated Indian Super League was christened Atletico de Kolkata on Wednesday, taking a cue from their Spanish co-owners and UEFA Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid.
Owner and CEO of the Madrid team Miguel Angel Gil Marin along with his city based co-owners former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, industrialists Harsh Neotia, Sanjiv Goenka and Utsav Parekh unveiled the team but said they were yet to finalise the jersey as it has to get the approval of the ISL.
There is also a proposal to get the Atletico Madrid squad to play a friendly match here once the city team is formed.
“We are also looking for pre-season training in Madrid for the Kolkata franchise,” Neotia said.
Also unveiling the name of the consortium as the Kolkata Games and Sports Private Limited, the five partners pledged to take Indian football to the next level.
“Atletico breathes football, lives around football. It’s a great idea to expand our brand and reach a new market. India are China are huge markets. Atletico also collaborates in different countries through Alteitco de Madrid foundation. We will try to support many kids who want to develop football,” Miguel said while handing over an official La Liga football autographed by the Atletico Madrid players.
“We are trying two different ways, one through academy and another side through the franchise and play professional football.”
The Atletico officials also handed each of the four city owners their official Atletico Madrid jerseies with their respective names but a common number of 19 – which belongs to their player and captain Diego Costa.
“It will be a proud moment for us if we can take the Indian football to where it belongs. It will be a great moment for us if one day a Kolkata footballers are able to represent Atletico Madrid. We are planning to build an academy here and give them a window of opportunity,” Ignacio Aguillo, director of coprorate development at Atletico, said.
Ganguly said, “Our club will try and bring together the best talent to form a team with the driving thought of playing to win. Kolkata has been central to football in our country and our objective is to ensure that we re-gain the position.
“This time round, the difference will be to give football audiences a level of play which is at par with the international level and creates a pride and passion similar to what we see for global leagues and tournaments.”
Asked why they chose to invest in a country whose ranking hovers around 150′, Aguillo said: “You have a massive population and if you combine that with passion and discipline, you are bound to have results. We have seen that in many countries.”
Giving the example of world champions Spain, he said: “They don’t have a large population but they have achieved with the right infrastructure and discipline. There is no reason why India can’t live up to its true potential. It’s a numbers game at the end of the day.”
Terming this a new beginning, former India captain Ganguly said: “We all grew up kicking a football. I’m sure it’s the same with a lot of kids in the state. This will revolutionise football in this part of the world.”
Neotia said that the franchise is looking to Madrid for coaches and players.
“On a coach, our desire is that the main coach be from Atletico, but we need an approval of ISL. If they approve then there would be a second coach from India with working experience in our country,” he said.
“We are seeking clarity on players. The Spanish team will be happy to provide players if FIFA and ISL approve of it.” (PTI)
