SPORTS REPORTER
JAMMU: The title winner of the inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the semi-finalist of the second edition, Atlético de Kolkata unveiled their official team jersey, a symbol of passion for the red and white fans and announced the start of their preparations for the upcoming third edition in style.
The team co-owner, Sanjiv Goenka introduced newly appointed Head Coach José Molina and discussed the plans how the team is shaping up for the upcoming season of ISL in 2016. The Atlético de Kolkata management was also represented by other co-owners in Harshavardhan Neotia and Utsav Parekh.
“I take this opportunity to welcome our Head Coach José Molina to Atlético de Kolkata family and believe that he is the right coach for the team. Molina will come with his wealth of technical and managerial experience as a player and coach which will be an asset for the players to learn and imbibe from and the team management to acquire the best possible team for the upcoming season,” said Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata.
In building the squad for the upcoming edition of Indian Super League, Atlético de Kolkata has already signed up nineteen dynamic players which is a rich blend of both foreign and domestic players. From the Indian players Atlético de Kolkata will have the services of experienced Arnab Mandal for a third time in the defence and has retained central midfielder Jewel Raja.
“I am really excited to be part of Indian Super League and want to thank the management of Atlético de Kolkata for this great opportunity. ISL has put Indian football on the global map and now the talent available here is being talked about in European and Asian countries,” speaking to the media, José Molina, Head Coach, Atlético de Kolkata said.
Riding on the success of two seasons, this year also the team will gear up for the third edition with a month long training camp in Spain. The training module will be designed to get the footballers in right physical shape to deal with the challenging season.
THE TEAM: Head Coach: José Molina. Domestic Players: Shilton Paul, Jewel Raja, Pritam Kotal, Debjit Majumder, Bikramjit Singh, Bidyananda Singh Ningthoujam, Kingshuk Debnath, Arnab Mandal, Bikash Jairu, Lalrindika Ralte (Dika), Robert Lalthlanumna and Prabir Das. Foreign Players: Iain Hume, Sameegh Doutie, Ofentse Nato, Tiri, Stephen Pearson, Dani Mallo and Pablo José Gallardo Zurera.
