Anjan Mitra to Receive Mohun Bagan Ratna 2026: A Circle Comes Full

Photo: Courtesy AIFF

By ExtraTime Web Desk

It was in 2001 that a remarkable tradition began at Mohun Bagan, thanks to then club secretary Anjan Mitra. The club instituted the prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna, its highest honour, to recognise individuals for their lifetime contribution to the institution. The inaugural recipient was Padma Shri Sailen Manna, and since then the award has been bestowed upon several legendary figures associated with the club.

In 2025, the honour went to Anjan Mitra's closest friend and long-time associate, Tutu Bose. And now, in 2026, the Mohun Bagan Ratna will be conferred upon the very man who started it all—Anjan Mitra himself. The visionary who introduced the award will now be honoured with the same distinction, bringing the story full circle.

A true gem in every sense, Anjan Mitra occupies a special place in the history of Mohun Bagan. Together with Tutu Bose, he formed one of the most influential administrative partnerships the club has ever seen. Their contribution shaped an entire era of Mohun Bagan's history.

The two friends had witnessed Mohun Bagan's painful 5-0 defeat in the 1975 IFA Shield final from the stands. That day, they made a promise to themselves—they would one day take charge of the club and help restore its glory. Their journey into club administration began under the guidance of the legendary Dhiren De.

Anjan Mitra's administrative career at Mohun Bagan was both long and distinguished. He initially served as the club's treasurer for five years before taking over as secretary, a position he held for an extraordinary 23 years.

His tenure was marked by a series of landmark decisions and transformative initiatives. One of the boldest was ending Mohun Bagan's long-standing policy of fielding only Indian footballers by introducing foreign players—a revolutionary move at the time that ushered the club into a new era of professionalism and modern football.

Anjan Mitra also realised that sustainable success required strong corporate backing. He played a pivotal role in bringing sponsors to the club, laying the foundation for its financial growth and stability.

His vision extended far beyond administration. During his tenure, FIFA President Sepp Blatter visited Mohun Bagan. He also brought football icon Diego Maradona to the club, while playing a significant role in organising Oliver Kahn's farewell match in Kolkata.

One of his greatest achievements was integrating the second batch of the TFA (Tata Football Academy) into Mohun Bagan, demonstrating his belief in nurturing young talent. He had the foresight and courage to promote players directly from the academy to the senior team. His dream project, the Mohun Bagan SAIL Football Academy, reflected his passion for youth development.

Anjan Mitra was equally committed to inclusivity. He encouraged greater participation of women in the club and oversaw the formation of Mohun Bagan's women's football team. Under his leadership, the club also won multiple National League and I-League titles, cementing its place among India's football elite.

But Anjan Mitra had another side to his personality—a fearless rebel. Soft-spoken and warm-hearted by nature, he never hesitated to raise his voice against injustice. Whether it was challenging the IFA, protesting against decisions taken by the Cricket Association of Bengal, questioning the AIFF, or even confronting the government when necessary, Mitra consistently stood by his principles. He always sought to provide direction and fight for what he believed was right.

As an administrator, Anjan Mitra possessed vision, passion, foresight, determination and an unwavering emotional connection with Mohun Bagan. Equally important was his ability to bring people together. He treated everyone with warmth and respect, which is why he became much more than just a Mohun Bagan official—he became "Anjanda" to the entire Maidan football fraternity.

Today, the man who introduced the Mohun Bagan Ratna tradition is himself being honoured with the club's highest recognition. In many ways, this is the younger generation's expression of gratitude to a man who helped shape modern Mohun Bagan.

Some stories truly do come full circle.