With the announcement of Emami group as the investor in the East Bengal Football Club, the participation in the ISL is insured.
Search was on for the investor from months!
After the exit of Shree Cement group, the club officials were in search for the possible investors.
Meetings were held with multiple firms, Basundhara Group, from Bangladesh was one them.
Also, the most prominent is the glazers family interest, owners of the Manchester United Football club.
The talks are intial, but reports are indicated that it might take place.
East Bengal, a football club with so much history!
Founded in the year 1920, the club have completed 100 years of existence.
One of the old clubs of India, the club hold history of success, wins, trophies.
After the emergence of the Indian Super League, club continued it's participation in the I League.
But, when the arch rivals Mohun Bagan, collaborated with erstwhile ATK to participate in ISL, pressure started mounting on the club officials.
It was reported that with Quess Group on board, they might play in ISl from 2019 season onwards.
Nothing as such happened and due to the conflicts, the Quess Group pulled out from the club.
In 2020, club managed to get Shree Cement as the investing group and played in the ISL but all was not well with it the club.
The conflicts became wide open, when the investing group having the share of 76%, declared that the final aggreement was not signed.
The chances of playing in the ISL were more but after the meetings held with CM of West Bengal, agreement was reached to play ISL again.
After the season ended, the Shree Cement group pulled out from the club and returned the sporting rights.
The investors accused the club officials of forcing them to move out while club officials refuted this claim.
Successive pullout of the investors from the club does tell that there is something wrong with the functioning of club.
The emergence of EMAMI group as the investor for the season, doesn't give any confidance either.
Unless the agreement reached is fully implemented, the struggle of the club will continue.
Hopefully this time, the understanding between the investors and the club officials will be better.
The pullouts not only hampers the club but the players too.
Many players are being left with nothing to play for in the wait of getting the official confirmation.
The signing of players before the season is not catered with full responsibility.
We saw many were left from the squad without giving them any opportunity.
ISL need East Bengal FC too!
The league is very short and addition of clubs is always demanded by the football fans.
With major clubs joining it, other clubs will follow the suit.
From the marketing and over all league structure, having two oldest clubs of India is an added advantage.
With the investment is announced, the club should now work hard to grab the players and the coach.
The season will be longer this time, the time left is not much.
Any delay only will make the situation complicated.
Hopefully, we will see better placed team this season, the stronger is the team, the more stronger will be the competition.
It will add valuable experience to the players and the football will be benefited from it.
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