KOLKATA: The ATK Mohun Bagan board on Friday decided to retain the iconic green and maroon jersey which has been synonymous with the 131-year-old legacy of India’s most famous football club.
The name of the club will be changed to ATK Mohun Bagan while the logo will have the iconic Mohun Bagan boat with the addition of ‘ATK’ to it. “The culture and tradition which has made the brand a household name have been preserved. The logo retains its essence.
“The addition of ATK within the logo ensures that the fast-growing and passionate following built on a short but highly successful period is also being carried forward,” according to a statement from ATK Mohun Bagan.
The club also announced plans to build a world-class football academy in West Bengal and to refurbish the existing Mohun Bagan facility so that ISL and AFC home games are held there.
“Mohun Bagan have been close to my heart since childhood. I have had the honour to watch the Green and Maroon play some of their best football,” principal owner Sanjiv Goenka, who acquired a majority stake of 80% in Mohun Bagan, stated.
“We respect the legacy and have retained the same jersey which generations down the line have embraced, adored and loved.
“My dream is to establish ATK Mohun Bagan as a world-class team which earns its place in the international circuit.”
Steps are being taken to ensure that ATK Mohun Bagan gets access to the best infrastructure and training to compete in the international arena, the statement added.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly, who holds sweat equity in ATK and is also a board director said: “I salute the coming together of ATK and Mohun Bagan. Together the brand name ATK Mohun Bagan will create history.”
Nita Ambani: ATK Mohun Bagan holds vast international potential
Meanwhile Mrs Nita Ambani, founder & chairperson, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), welcomed ATK Mohun Bagan into the ISL.
“We are delighted on the merger of ATK and Mohun Bagan, the two powerhouses of Indian football. I whole-heartedly welcome Mohun Bagan, one of India’s oldest and most renowned clubs, to the Indian Super League and congratulate Sanjiv Goenka for embracing the I-League champions with open arms,” said Mrs Ambani.
The FSDL chairperson believes that the combined power of ATK and Mohun Bagan will further enable India to establish its stronghold in AFC competitions.
“The coming together of these two heavyweights marks a momentous chapter in the history of Indian sports. The new entity, ‘ATK Mohun Bagan FC’, holds vast potential for not just West Bengal or Indian football but internationally too, as we endeavour to establish Indian clubs as strong players in AFC competitions.”
A firm believer in investing in youth development, Mrs Ambani is of the opinion that the ATK Mohun Bagan will lead the way towards a more competitive platform for young Indian players, benefitting the overall football ecosystem in the country.
“Talent can only be realised when budding youngsters get the opportunity and exposure to play competitive football at the highest levels. I am confident that this partnership will benefit football in our country and help us realise our dream of making India a football superpower.”
“I wish the management of ATK Mohun Bagan FC, the players and the staff all the very best for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead,” Mrs. Ambani concluded her statement.
ATK, which had announced the merger in January this year, won a record third ISL title this season beating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final in March.
Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, won the I-League with four rounds to spare before the tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like Dempo, Mohun Bagan has been national champion five times since the National League began in 1996-97.
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ATK Mohun Bagan to stay with green and maroon colours
