Kolkata: I-League giants Mohun Bagan announced the signing of Cameroonian striker Dipanda Dicka for the upcoming edition of the I-League. Dipanda had a fantastic I-League last year as he ended as the highest goal-scorer of the season representing Shillong Lajong. He would turn up in the Mohammedan Sporting colours in the upcoming CFL but would join the Mariners ahead of the I-League.
Rana Ghamari has also been selected to play for the former I-League champions.
Coach Sanjoy Sen, who would be the mentor of the team during the CFL as Shankarlal Chakraborty would manage the team, would keep an eye on the different players in the Kolkata tournament alongside Compton Dutta and Satyajit Chatterjee to sign them for the I-League.
Mohun Bagan also wishes to participate in the Durand Cup and the Sikkim Governor’s Cup if the terms and conditions are adhered to.
The AIFF had visited the club last month and as per their recommendations, the club ground has been prepared.
Mohun Bagan is keen on making the Yuba Bharati Krirangan their home ground for the upcoming domestic season but the question that arises here is the fact that whether they had discussions with ISL heavyweights Atletico De Kolkata about this or not. When asked, club official Debashish Dutta said, “We have informed Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and he is looking into the matter.”
Although the Mariners had earlier declined to play in the ISL as they didn’t agree to pay the franchise fee, Dutta said that the cash-rich ISL is way ahead of the I-League in terms of marketing and broadcasting and credited IMG-Reliance for that.
“IMG-R has taken ISL to new heights and hats off to IMG-R for that,” said Dutta.
Meanwhile defender Pritam Kotal, who was roped in by the Delhi Dynamos in the ISL draft for ₹75 lakhs visited the club to collect his last payment.
“I am very disappointed in leaving Mohun Bagan. While playing here I traveled from my home however this won’t happen in the ISL. But all these things are a part of a professional footballer’s life. If Mohun Bagan selects me, I will come back,” he said.
The Mariners also beat George Telegraph 2-1 in a practice match with Chesterpaul Lyngdoh and Minto Mahato scoring for the Green and Maroon brigade while Subhankar Das scored for George Telegraph.