Ganguly gets a new kick in life, to play in I-League

“We are signing him basically for three reasons. First, his presence will motivate our players. Secondly, Sourav’s presence will help promote Indian football in the country and outside. And finally, he will ensure a strong fan-following for us,” Chirag head Kaustav Roy told The Indian Express.

“Not that he will just cheer for us from the box, he will play in the KPL matches as well,” he added.

The Prince of Kolkata, who is Chirag United’s brand ambassador, wanted to be a footballer as a child before cricket lured him away. As destiny would have it, he received a cricket bat as a present and that changed the course of his life.

A football pitch, though, isn’t exactly an uncharted territory for Ganguly — he’s turned out for East Bengal in an exhibition tie in the past — he will be playing competitive soccer for the first time. The move is also likely to pit him against his favourite club, East Bengal — at home, he is the sole flag-bearer for the Red-and-Gold while other members of his family are Mohun Bagan supporters.

‘Boy next door’

“When I was a young boy, East Bengal used to win everything. Surojit Sengupta was my hero. His skills were mesmerising,” Sourav had once said.

For all his fame and celebrity status, Sourav still remains a boy next door for Kolkata Maidan. He had trained with East Bengal players on coach Subhas Bhowmick’s request. When Subrata Bhattacharya was Mohun Bagan coach, he once invited the southpaw boost the morale of his players, and Sourav happily obliged.

With Kolkata and Indian football losing colour of late — even Mohun Bagan-East Bengal matches don’t see a full house nowadays — things may change with Sourav putting on his football boots.