City football heavyweights and current I-League champions Mohun Bagan can play a pivotal role in building a strong Indian outfit for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and also help raise footballing standards in the country, believes union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal."We have signed an Mou to help the country prepare for the under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 and such experienced clubs like Mohun Bagan can help us. They can play an important role so that the standard of football in India rises, I wish Mohun Bagan success," Sonowal said in his speech at Mohun Bagan's 125th year celebration here at the Netaji Indoor stadium.The All India Football Federation (AIFF) have got into a collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which emphasizes on raising the coaching standards, talent development, infrastructure utilization to the fullest and talent identification.
The minister also added that the big clubs in the city has helped the game grow in the northeast."We have seen how successful Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied United have been, the so called heart of Indian football Kolkata, has played a major role."Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who had turned up to play cricket for Mohun Bagan in his early days, congratulated everyone associated with the club."Heartiest congratulations to everyone who have been attached to the club," he said.At the event the I-League winning team along with coach Sanjoy Sen and other management staff were felicitated. A cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh was also awarded to the outfit.