The First Kolkata Derby this season might be on the 9th of August
The first ‘Kolkata Derby’ between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the coming season might take place in the Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium on 9th August. Durand Cup is going to take place from 22nd July to 25th August across six venues which are Kolkata (VYBK/Kishore Bharati Krirangan), Imphal (Khuman Lampak Stadium), Ranchi (Morhabadi Stadium) Jamshedpur (JRD Tata Sports Complex), Shillong (JLN Stadium) and Kokrajhar (Sai Stadium). Significantly, The prestigious tournament which will witness 14 teams from the ISL, I-league and two teams from Indian Army, has been granted Rs 25 lakh by the Union Sports Ministry for the organization of the tournament. It is believed that Mohun Bagan Super Giants management has decided to field the club’s reserve squad that will have a few experienced footballers who took part in the ISL. On the other hand, East Bengal which is in the process of building up the team are likely to participate in the competition with full strength, to salvage some pride from their last season’s overall misery. It is also learned that East Bengal has already signed a preliminary contract with a Palestinian professional footballer Mohammed Rashid. According to Husam Younis, the assistant coach of Palestine youth team, Rashid is very hard working boy. He is a fighter of the game, a true warrior. He always looks for challenges. No matter how difficult the challenge is, he always wants to win challenge.
The historic ‘Sen-Villa’ comes at the center of controversy between two contesting camps ahead of the Mohun Bagan election
The historic ‘Sen-Villa’ at 44 Ramakanta Bose Street, Shyampukur in North Kolkata, which was the cradle of Mohun Bagan Club, is being demolished for the reconstruction of a new apartment! The reason is the inability to bear the expenses to continue maintaining the building, which witnessed the office of Mohun Bagan Club until 1934. The key contestant in the club election, Srinjoy Bose recently visited the building when it was being demolished and reportedly proposed the construction and promoting group to donate a space in the new apartment where a club museum can be introduced. But the club’s present secretary, Debashis Dutta, announced in an election campaign at Bagbazar last week that Mohun Bagan Club will purchase a space of around 200 square feet. Dutta also revealed that he had an initial discussion with the respective building and promoting construction group regarding the matter. But it is learned that the CEO of the building construction group had officially informed Dutta that as Srinjoy Bose approached them months before their initiative for a space in the new apartment it would not be possible for the company to allot the space to the club’s existing administration. The CEO had reportedly also informed that only the car-parking space of the proposed apartment could be allotted for Mohun Bagan Club’s museum and in that case, Srinjoy Bose would be given preference. However, Dutta has reportedly stated that in a bid to save the memory of the historic building he would like to request Srinjoy Bose to approach the building construction group together to provide a space in the new apartment where Mohun Bagan Club’s commemoration can be preserved. However, it is learned that Srinjoy Bose has not yet agreed to Dutta’s opinion.
Ahead of the election ‘Team Debasish’ promises to introduce ‘campus’ and a new project on grass-route development
Under the guidance of club secretary Debashis Dutta, the existing administration of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club revealed its desire to materialize its several new plans through a manifesto. Ahead of the club election, the existing administration, in their manifesto has divulged that they have plans to introduce a ‘Mohun Bagan Campus’ that will have a full-sized ground and stadium. The campus can be constructed on the outskirt of Kolkata. According to the promises made by ‘Team Debashis’ in their proposal, the club desires to introduce a museum where along with several historical documents, original replicas of all the trophies the club has achieved including the ISL Shield and Cup will be preserved. The administration has also mentioned to introduce a project on the grass-route development where kids of 10 to 12 years will be scouted and nurtured for the club’s under-13 football team. Simultaneously, the present body has promised to introduce a women’s football team following a discussion with the company (Mohun Bagan Football Club Private Ltd.). Among many other promises in their manifesto, ‘Team Debashis’ has revealed that they also have plans to introduce a Futsol and a Pickle Ball court which can help the club gain revenues in future. Reformation of a major part of the membership gallery will be made according to the manifesto. Significantly, Dutta at a press conference at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club on Thursday has vowed saying, “I will not contest in the forthcoming election if Swapan Sadhan Bose (Tutu) contests for the General Secretary’s post in the election.”
Coach says support staff and physiotherapist are the ‘unsung heroes’
Sudeep Pakrashi Bengal football has been facing criticism and disappointment over the vacuum in producing promising footballers from the state, but Bengal Football Academy (BFA) is setting an example. A contingent that consists of footballers, coaches, and even the state administrator has drawn the attention of the country’s football fraternity through an inspiring performance in the ongoing AIFF Elite Under-17 league in Guwahati. Subrata Bhattacharya, the team’s Under-17 coach however opined his support-staff, especially the team’s physiotherapist Gautam Mitra are the unsung heroes behind the team’s consistent show. BFA has been in stupendous form in the elite phase of the ongoing AIFF under-17 elite league, being unbeaten with four consecutive victories and a draw against AIFA to ensure a berth in the quarterfinal. Before their convincing 2-0 victory against Mohun Bagan on Tuesday, BFA humbled the teams like Kerala Blasters, Sreenidi Deccan and Mohammedan Sporting. The significant part of their consistency is the fitness of the team and the exuberance the boys have been showing on the pitch despite the crude reality that they are getting only one-day rest between the two matches. Bhattacharya when asked about the key factors behind the consistent show, explained, “I do not want to mention Tuesday’s victory only against heavyweight Mohun Bagan. The important thing is the boys’ consistency despite the lack of adequate rest between the two matches. We are getting only one day’s rest between two matches.” He continued, “This has been possible only due to our support-staff, especially physiotherapist Gautam Mitra’s huge contribution. He has been showing magic, helping even an injured footballer to recover and play his next match within only a day. The other coaches of this team and the physiotherapist are the real heroes.” Simultaneously, the experienced coach praised the BFA’s Chief Executive Officer Deep Krishna Hazra for his tireless hard work for the boys, off the field. “Despite being busy with administrative activities, he has been with us in Guwahati for the last two weeks and making arrangement of everything the boys and coaches need every day. His support has become a big motivation for the boys.” Bhattacharya also lamented that Tanbir Dey who struck 50 goals already this season is still being overlooked for the youth national call-up. “The 16-year-old boy has scored 50 goals this season already. Is not it enough to get a national call-up? I feel sad to have noticed that nowadays in the case of national call-ups, only players’ height and weight are observed, not his skill,” explained Bhattacharya. But at the same time, the coach heaped praise on other footballers also saying, “Not only Tanbir, other boys have also been in excellent form especially defender Roshan Chhetri and Ishan Debnath, the midfielder have been performing brilliantly.” Under-16 national coach Isfaq Ahmed is presently in Guwahati to scout potential footballers. It is learned that he is impressed by Tanbir’s performance so far. BFA will face Punjab FC in the quarter-final on Thursday.
Mohun Bagan president resigns ahead of club election
Mohun Bagan president Swapan Sadhan Bose has submitted his resignation on Monday, ahead of the forthcoming club elections. In his resignation letter to the club secretary and the executive committee members, Bose explained that it would not be possible for him to work in the election neutrally sitting on the president’s chair. In his letter, he mentioned that he has never misused the power of the president’s chair. This time also, he has stressed on the matter that he will not try to influence anybody using the president’s chair. Under the guidance of retired judge Asim Roy election board at the club has already been formed. Srinjoy Bose, son of Swapan Sadhan Bose when asked whether his father will contest in the election, replied, “I do not think so although Tutu Bose himself will finally decide what he will do.”
