Unless you have been living under a rock, the news of East Bengal FC joining the Indian Super League, or ISL for short must have reached your ears. The 100-year-old Kolkata club has been through a series of turmoil throughout the summer but finally has found an investor in Shree Cements, who will be funding the club’s move to ISL, the country’s top-division league.
On Friday, the FSDL, who run the ISL "invited bids from interested parties for the award of one additional team to enroll and participate in the Hero Indian Super League, from its seventh edition to be staged in 2020-21."It is widely expected that East Bengal would be picking up the documents and an official announcement will be made shortly regarding their participation.
Speaking to Goal, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia said,“It is going to lift the competition and passion of the league. It will be more competitive now that East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will be in it. It adds great value and the league itself will become much bigger with these two clubs.It adds huge value in terms of support. Overall Mohun Bagan and East Bengal add huge value to the league.”
Bhutia’s statement, obviously referred to the fact that East Bengal’s arch-rival, Mohunbagan had confirmed their participation in the ISL in January of this year, when they merged with ATK FC. Former East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan said,” I am happy that a company has invested in East Bengal and that the opportunity for them to play in the ISL has come.”
Obviously with the two clubs included in the ISL lineup now, fans will get to watch the 130-year-old live this season. This serves as a big bonus to the FSDL too, who pushed East Bengal to be a part of the lineup next season. The Red and Gold club was also aided immensely by the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly, who guided the club officials to ensure the right channels were followed to ensure an investor would be found.
A new era awaits, Indian football fans!
