EVEN as the glitzy Indian Super League grabs the spotlight, a 123-year-old football club in Kolkata has opted out of national tournaments this season due to a financial crisis.
“We don't have sponsors to support our team,” Mohammadan Sporting president Sultan Ahmed told a reporter by phone from Kolkata. “Our first priority is to bring in some money for the club.”
Sporting, which was founded in 1891, remains one of football-mad Kolkata's three big clubs alongside Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and is a regular fixture on the national scene.
Sporting will not defend its title in the Durand Cup inter-club tournament this year or take part in the I-League where it was relegated to second division last year, Ahmed said.
“But please don't believe reports that we are shutting down for ever,” he added. “We will use this time to find sponsors, improve our infrastructure and get ready for next season.”
Ahmed, a former government minister, said there were efforts to help his players and coaching staff secure temporary contracts with other teams. “I hope they get a chance to play on,” he said.
There was no official comment from the All-India Football Federation on Sporting's decision to stay away this year.
Despite Sporting's woes, the Indian Super League's Kolkata-based franchise, Athletico Kolkata – which is co-owned by former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly – has drawn a number of sponsors.
The 10-week-long ISL, which opened on October 12, is modelled on cricket's popular Indian Premier League.
It is televised by Rupert Murdoch's Star TV and backed by sports management giants IMG and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
Cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly, Bollywood A-listers Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan, and Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid are among the co-owners of the eight franchised teams in the fray.
