Mohammedan Sporting is on course to join fellow Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League. One of the oldest football clubs in the country has disinvested its stake with an eye on securing the ISL berth over the next couple of years.
Mohun Bagan, with a legacy of 130 years, has roped in sports management firm Bunkerhill as an investor.
The club now has an immediate goal of qualifying for the I-League. Mohammedans will open their I-League qualifying campaign against Delhi’s Garhwal Football Club.
However, the ultimate goal remains to join East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the ISL. Bagan have entered the top-flight professional league by way of their acquisition by another Kolkata-based club ATK. RP Sanjiv Goenka Group owns the ATK.
East Bengal made a successful bid to become the 11th team in the ISL following an investment by the Bangur Group, which has reportedly acquired a majority 80% stake in East Bengal.
“Our city rivals, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will play the ISL from this season. Now we can also say that we will also look to play in the top tier ISL within a couple of years,” Mohammedan Sporting football secretary Dipendu Biswas said at a ceremony in Kolkata to introduce their investor.
“It’s (playing in ISL) been a dream for us. Our first priority is to make the I-League that’s the current mission. Then the target will be to play the top tier ISL,” the former footballer said.
Mohammedans had played in the I-League during the 2013-14 season, but they were again relegated to the second division.