A shocking close-down
According to a report, Calcutta Mohammedan Sporting Club founded in 1891 in Calcutta will not take part in any national tournament this season because of acute financial crisis. Calcutta Mohammedan Sporting Club is one of the popular football clubs in India with a support base in all parts of the country. The club was founded as “Jubilee Club” in 1887 under the leadership of Nawbab Aminul Islam. Then this name was changed into “Crescent Club”, which was again changed into “Hamidia Club”. Finally this “Hamidia Club” came to be known as “Mohammedan Sporting Club” in 1891.
It won Federation Cup twice, Calcutta Football League 11 times, IFA Shield six times, Durand Cup twice, Rovers Cup six times and Dhaka Aga Khan Gold Cup once in 1960.
Early 1960, the team came to Dhaka for the first time to play three exhibition matches in the then Dhaka Stadium. They beat Dhaka Mohammdean Sporting Club 3-0, lost to Dhaka Wanderers Club 2-3 and outplayed Dhaka X1 3-1. Near the end of the same year, the team from Calcutta took part in the Aga Khan Gold Cup Football Tournament in Dhaka and excelled the Dhaka crowds with 4-1 win over Makasar Football Club from Indonesia in the final.
It is not clear whether the decision is temporary or the beginning of the lasting shut down. If the club is really wrapped up for ever, that will be surely a very pathetic event in the history of the Indian football.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
