Mohammedan Sporting shut shop for season

KOLKATA: Lack of sponsors and financial woes are the main reasons for Mohammedan Sporting Club deciding not to field the club's senior football team in any tournament, including the second division I-League, this season.
"Owing to severe financial crisis, we have decided not to play in the second division I-League as well as any other tournament this season," said club president Sultan Ahmed on Monday.
However, he vehemently denied that the club has decided to disband its football team.
"This is absolutely baseless news. We will certainly play next season and try to build a strong team. In the meantime, we plan to build infrastructure and other facilities besides developing our youth teams and try and rope in a sponsor. That will also help us fulfill AFC's Club Licensing criteria," he added.
Ahmed also said that it is unlikely the club will field a team in the second division I-League even if they find a sponsor. Interestingly, MSC officials are yet to convey this decision to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) or the I-League committee. This clearly suggests that the club authorities are keeping their options open on their team's participation in the second tier of the I-League.
"The club has not officially informed the AIFF about this. If it happens, it will be very unfortunate. This club has been serving Indian football for more than a century and has a huge fan following. As a football fan, I would like to appeal to the club president to ensure that football activities continue at the club," said Subrata Dutta, AIFF's senior vice-president.
Indian Football Association (IFA), the game's governing body in the state, also are not aware of MSC's plans to pull the plug on their senior team's football activities this season.
Ahmed, who is also a TMC MP, however, emphasized that the club's under-19 football team will continue to take part in tournaments this season. MSC's cricket and hockey teams as well as other athletes will not be affected by the financial crunch.
Former India international striker Ashim Biswas, who is a member of the club's football team, told TOI that players have not been officially informed by the club about this decision.
Ashim admitted that it would be tough on the players if MSC officials stick to their stand and shun all tournaments this season. In plain terms, players currently on MSC roster will find it difficult to find a club mid-season even if they are released by their employers.
Another former India marksman and former Mohammedan Sporting player Dipendu Biswas said, "It would be really sad if it happens. I hope that the officials will discuss and review the matter and keep playing this season."
The club's announcement --barely a month after the conclusion of the Calcutta Football League's Premier Division --came as a bolt from the blue. Mohammedan Sporting had made a rousing start in the tournament, beating city giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to emerge as strong contenders for the league title before faltering on the home stretch.
In fact, they won their last match against SAI, Eastern Centre on September 11 to finish fourth with 20 points from 10 matches.
MSC also played two practice matches against Indian Super League sides Delhi Dynamos FC and Kerala Blasters FC, losing both.