Not the League Derby, Mohun Bagan eyes on I-League

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Mohun Bagan footballers on the first day of training. Image : XtraTime

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan is all set to avoid the Kolkata League derby to concentrate for the I-League. In-spite-of focusing on small League they will start the preparation of their unfinished job in the I-League. The executive committee is sticking firm to focus on
I-League, declared by the management on the first day of the pre-season training.

Mohun Bagan started their pre-season practice with a bunch of fresh players. Striker from Salgaocar Darryl Duffy is to join the second week of this month with this squad. Sankar Lal Chakraborty has been appointed as the Head Coach only during the matches of Kolkata League. Apart from that I-League and Federation Cup winning Head Coach Sanjoy Sen will be always there with the team. Today Sanjoy Sen was present on the Mohun Bagan ground and talked to the players. Sankar Lal Chakraborty said, “Sanjoy Sen is there to assist me always. This is kind of learning experience for me in this Kolkata League. I was the assistance coach for two years. Hope, can lead the team to a good
position.”
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Apart from the new-comers Mohun Bagan started their practice with former team members Azharuddin Mallick, goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma, Sarthak Golui. Players like Raju Gaikwad, Sanjoy Balmuchu and Kean Lewis will join the squad soon. Physical Trainer Miranda Garcia will also join the team in 2nd week.

There was a little number of supporters present on the Mohun Bagan ground this morning. They were demanding their team to play the derby in Kolkata League. However, the management is firm not to focus on the upcoming Kolkata League. Financial secretary of the team Debashis Dutta said, “The executive committee has already taken the decision of
not playing the derby. The management is not ready to spend money in an eight-match tournament. Rather they will spend that amount for I-League preparation. The decision can only be changed by the executive committee. However, there is least chance to change the decision.”

The Head Coach of the team also echoed the management. Today Sanjoy Sen said, “We are not bothered of any club or how much hexa Leagues they have won. If we can win that is good for us. Otherwise we will start for the next tournament”.

Today president of Mohun Bagan team Swapan Sadhan Bose (Tutu Bose) was present on the field. He met the players and gave them pep-talk.

On the first day of the pre-season practice Debashis Dutta said, “We are not playing the derby. For that reason we will urge the IFA to provide us Kolkata League matches on our own ground. We have just set up flood lights on our ground. We will appeal to provide us night matches to practice with our flood light.”