Kolkata: ATK and Indian national team football players Pritam Kotal and Pronay Halder on Thursday hailed team co-owner Sourav Ganguly who is set to become the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president on October 23, saying the development has inspired them to win the third title.
Ganguly is also the face of the Indian Super League (ISL) which is set to kick-off on October 20 when two-time champions ATK take on Kerala Blasters in Kochi.
Former India captain Ganguly will attend the opening ceremony for which he would not be able to go for the third Test between India and South Africa in Ranchi from Saturday. “He is an inspiration to all of us. There is a Bengali sentiment also. I have grown up watching him play. I fondly remember his debut century at Lord’s (in 1996) and that really motivated me as I aspired to become a footballer,” India full back Kotal told IANS on the sidelines of ATK Media Day here.
“I am eager to meet him and congratulate him. It’s a great achievement and as a Bengali I feel proud. This will definitely inspire us to go for the title,” defensive midfielder Pronay Halder told IANS.
ATK assistant coach Sanjoy Sen added during the press conference that it is a proud moment for the team. “It’s a very nice development. We are all very proud. It may inspire us to go all the way.”
ATK won the inaugural ISL title in 2014 under Spanish coach Antonio Habas who is back for a second term with the city-based outfit. IANS