The Kolkata based Indian Super League (ISL) franchise was launched in Kolkata on Wednesday by its owner and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
Sourav Ganguly has named the team – Atletico de Kolkata similar to a Madrid based team Atletico de Madrid. This is the launch of the first franchise out of eight city based franchises in the inaugural edition of ISL scheduled later in 2014.
Atletico de Madrid owner – Miguel Angel Gil Marin – was present at the launch of the team jersey alongwith the other four co-owners of the franchise – which includes the likes of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and city’s top businessmen Sanjiv Goenka, Utsav Parekh, and Harshavardhan Neotia.
Marin said: “Atletico is very excited at the prospect of creating connection with one of the largest demographics for football globally. Our joint ownership of the club is testimony to our commitment to the Kolkata franchise of Indian Super League. Through this franchise, the club will work to improve the game in India and help design a series of sports centric growth models. We will utilize our athletic and management expertise in promoting sports and developing Atletico de Kolkata.”
Co-owner Goenka, who is also the chairman of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, said: “Football can bring cultures together and create bonds between countries and people. Atletico de Kolkata stands to unite football lovers under one Kolkata, one Team.”
Meanwhile, star attraction at the launch, 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 regain that position.”