West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised a bumper grant of ₹6.5 crore to different professional football clubs in the state for the development of the sport’s infrastructure.
These grants will be equally divided between 13 clubs, with each side set to receive ₹50 lakh for infrastructural developments. While Kolkata giants East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting are all included in this list of 13 clubs, Banerjee announced that office football sides in the state will not benefit from this grant.
Speaking on the 97th Foundation Day of East Bengal FC, Banerjee also promised an extra grant of ₹2 crore for the Red and Golds, so that the Kolkata giants can install floodlights and renovate their stadium, according to a report in local Bengali newspaper Anandabazar Patrika.
East Bengal legends like Shyam Thapa and Shyamal Ghosh were felicitated with lifetime achievement awards by the club on its foundation day, while current Red and Golds playmaker Do Dong-Hyun was awarded the club’s Player of the Year award.
Delhi Dynamos sign Bruno Pelissari
Delhi Dynamos FC have landed a major signing in former Chennaiyin FC midfielder Bruno Pelissari, the franchise announced on Monday.
Pelissari, who is an Atletico Paranaense youth academy product, was loaned out to Chennaiyin during the first two seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL). Earlier this year, the 23-year-old signed for Moldovan club FC Sherriff Tiraspol.
The wait is over! Bruno Pelissari is now a lion! Welcome to The Pride! #RoarWithTheLions #DelhiDynamos pic.twitter.com/9R7BsaDmIA
— Delhi Dynamos FC (@DelhiDynamos) August 1, 2016
However, the Brazilian made only three appearances for Tiraspol and was allowed to join Delhi Dynamos on a free transfer. Pelissari won the ISL last year with Chennaiyin and will be looking to help the Dynamos better their semi-final finish from last campaign.
“He has been one of the top players in the ISL over the last two years and through his performances he has proven himself a match-winner. He will definitely be an asset to us at Delhi Dynamos FC,” Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta was quoted as saying in ISL’s official website.
FC Pune City sign Francis Fernandes
While Delhi signed Pelissari, the Lions have lost out on the services of their Goan midfielder Francis Fernandes, who was unveiled by FC Pune City as their latest signing on Monday.
Fernandes had spent the first two seasons of the ISL with the Dynamos, but has now chosen to sign for Pune, who are currently being coached by ISL-winning manager Antonio Habas. The Spaniard, who won the inaugural edition of the tournament with Atletico de Kolkata in 2014, said that Fernandes will be used as a utility player as the 30-year-old can play just about anywhere in midfield.
Welcome to FC Pune City our wing-wizard Francis Fernandes! #KarPunekar pic.twitter.com/rQYQYxcKlX
— FC Pune City (@FCPuneCity) August 1, 2016
“Francis adds depth to our wing play,” Habas was quoted as saying in ISL’s official website. “He can play as a second line of attack behind our forwards as well as hold the midfield when needed. We hope he continues to be a value add to our team as much as he was to his previous ones.”
Fernandes started his professional football career at Vasco in 2004 and later went on to play for Salgaocar. He played in the I-League second division last season after Delhi loaned him out to Dempo.
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