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Sabyasachi Bagchi: After a long wait, Nita Ambani and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Sunday officially announced that East Bengal Football Club is finally going to take part in the upcoming Indian Super League.

www.xtratime.in was fortunate to interview Mr. Hari Mohon Bangur, the managing director of Shree Cement. It's safe to say that without Shree Cement, it would've been tough for East Bengal to play in this year's ISL. After the announcement, Mr. Bangur said, “We want success. Nothing happens automatically. We have been working on it for quite some time and now today, it has been announced but everyday some developments were there. I'm not surprised but today I can say, we are successful and hope we will do well this year. We will try to put a strong team and we will give a strong performance.”

One factor is completely against East Bengal. When all the other team is almost ready with the foreign players plus coach recruitment, East Bengal didn't announce anyone as such. Mr. Bangur said, “Yes, we understand that. We are starting late because before today we didn't have time that we will start early. We couldn't have started. Within 3-4 days we will set up our team.”

On being asked about any update on foreign players and coaches of East Bengal in the upcoming ISL, Mr. Bangur said, “The coach will recruit all the foreign players. Our work is to recruit a good coach. Then we will give all the details to the coach regarding the selection of the players.”

Mr. Bangur then assured all the East Bengal supporters that they will bring back the old glory. He said, “East Bengal supporters should feel that they will get back the old glory. What it was there in the 60s and 70s, the same old glory. We are working for it. In sports winning and losing is part and parcel but the glory and putting up a strong team and trying to be successful and being successful and all that's important, will be there.”

Mr. Bangur then gave an update about the jersey colour and the logo of East Bengal going forward. All East Bengal fans across the globe will be assured with that Mr. Bangur said. He said, “All I want to say is, if I try to do something which destroys the value, I'll be the most foolish person. We will give value to the old traditions of East Bengal which is there for past 100 years. We will give value to all the sentiments associated with the club. We will maintain everything and move forward. The jersey, colour, logo, all will be respected fully.”

Mr. Bangur then confirmed that East Bengal have already recruited the necessary Indian players. “We have already completed our recruitment regarding Indian players. The coach will be announced within 30th, that is within 3-4 days, everything will be announced.”

This year Derby is going to be quite different. More than the clubs, two corporate houses will face each other. However, Mr. Bangur doesn't agree with this. He said, “No no no. This is all media and social hype. We (Sanjeev Goenka) are very good friends. This is not even a fight, this is a match. Irrespective of the result, there is no personality clash. No personal rivalries. We will remain good friends. It is the sports. Do you feel it's India or Pakistan? Never never never.”

Mr. Bangur then said, “The first thing I'll do after coming to Kolkata is to visit East Bengal club. However, I don't have any plan as of now to visit Kolkata. Maybe after 20 days later. Let me see.”

The biggest Derby of Indian football is going to take place in an empty stadium because of the Coronavirus pandemic but at least ISL will get to see, the biggest Derby of India. Speaking about that Mr. Bangur said, “We can't do anything. This is a pandemic and because of that all the matches will be played in Goa. Far from the place where we can see the Football first time. Everything will be in Goa.”