West Bengal government to felicitate Atletico de Kolkata stars

West Bengal government will felicitate Atletico De Kolkata (ATK) team for winning the first edition of Indian Super League football, state chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.

"We will felicitate ATK team members on Wednesday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium," Banerjee told reporters after the Sourav Ganguly co-owned side showcased the cup at her office today.

Banerjee said it was a proud moment for Kolkata, saying "It is a big thing which has happened". She congratulated all the participating teams and the organisers IMG-Reliance.

Banerjee said the cup would be dedicated to the people of the city.

All India Football Federation president Praful Patel will be present during the felicitation programme.

ATK defeated Kerala Blusters, co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar, by a solitary goal to lift the cup on Saturday.

West Bengal government had also felicitated IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders when the team clinched the title. Later, ATK co-owner Sanjiv Goenka told reporters that they would soon set up a football academy in the state.

"We have already identified land in four-five locations, but yet to shortlist any of them," Goenka said adding that a detailed plan would be chalked out only after the academy was set up.

"Soccer is already popular in the state. ISL will help popularise it further, besides developing this major sport in the country," he added.

Image: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee with the ISL trophy

Photograph: PTI