ISL gets its First franchise Atletico De Kolkata!

Atletico De Kolkata today became the first ISL franchisee launched officially, after unveiling the team  on a function held at Hotel Sonar Bangla in Kolkata.

As the name suggests co owners Atletico Madrid had a big influence and interest in the team and i think it was beyond everyone's expectation.

Owner and CEO of UCL finalist Miguel Angel Gil Marin along with city based co owners former Indian Cricket Team captain Sourav Ganguly,Harsha Neotia,Sanjiv Geonka and Utsav Parekh were present at the function

It was learned that the launching of Jersey will be on coming weeks as it has to get an aproval of the ISL committee.

Co owners Atletico Madrid could play an exhibition game in Kolkata and the Kolkata franchise to conduct a training camp in Madrid.

Also unveiling the name of the consortium as the Kolkata Games and Sports Private Limited, the five parnters 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. 

"We are trying two different ways, one through academy and another side through the franchise and play professional football," Miguel said handing over an official La Liga football with autographs of the team members. 

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 most popular 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 footballer is able to represent Atletico Madrid. We are planning to build an academy here and give them a window of an 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 par international and creates a pride and passion similar to what we see for global leagues and tournaments.