New owners for Mumbai FC?

Doubts still loom over the fate of the city’s I-league club Mumbai FC after players, sponsors and local authorities say that the club has shut down their service, which also affects the growth of young players of the city. However, one of the partners has revealed that the Mumbai franchise could get a new owner. The club was relegated in the previous edition of the competition after which word of the club shutting down started spreading.

The Essel Group-owned club was launched in 2007, managing to win the second division of I-league in 2008 and the MDFA Elite division of 2010-11. Although there hasn’t been any official announcement from the owners, Mumbai FC has not taken part in this year’s edition of the MDFA elite division league. They were regular contenders at the same in all the previous editions.

The deputy vice-president of Mumbai FC, Atul Badgamia remains silent on this topic but the food and beverage partners have revealed that the matter is somewhat clear and there could be new owners. “We have been working with Mumbai FC for a few years. Even though there hasn’t been any official announcement, the club will be shut. There could be someone else taking over the club, which could be revealed in a few days,” says Irfan Khan from Jaffer Bhai’s Dilli Darbar, whose outlet has previously partnered with Mumbai FC.

The club had been working on the grassroots level, developing young talent from Mumbai and nearby districts with the colts climbing up to the senior division. The news comes as a blow to them as well. Most of them have made efforts trying to get people to sign a petition so that the club does not shut down, but it looks like it hasn’t made a difference. Team captain Steven Dias, who is also looking for a team to join, said, “There has been no announcement but the club is shutting down. Many of my teammates have either joined ISL clubs or waiting to sign for other I-league clubs.”

Local lad Nikhil Poojary, who debuted for India recently against Mauritius, voices similar sentiments. “It used to be the stage for the young footballers to make way into the national team but if it gets shut, where will they go?” questions the 21-year old attacking midfielder.

Western India Football Association CEO, Henry Menezes calls it a “loss” for the youth as Mumbai FC is the only first division club from the city and it had many teams for various age groups.  

“It’s a huge loss because the youth was doing well getting promoted to the senior team and now they have to struggle,” says Menezes.

With Bengaluru FC playing in the ISL, Mumbai FC was left with two choices to play in the first division after the club was relegated: either by making a bid shelling out `3 crore, which is mentioned in the Request for Proposal document of the I-league or by getting promoted from the second division.