Respect, love, emotion, tradition all mixed up Mohun Bagan day at Mohun Bagan ground and Mohun Bagan began the centenary celebrations of their famous 1911 IFA Shield final win over British Army’s East Yorkshire Regiment at the club ground, on Thursday.

The club officials and fans across the globe celebrated this historic day in their own ways. One of the prominent event was that of a torch relay from Mohun Bagan Lane, North Kolkata to the Mohun Bagan tent. Atin Ghosh was the key person behind the event. Prominent mohunbaganis like Justice Shyamal Sen, footballer Prasun Banerjee were present at Mohun Bagan Lane. Later on Srinjoy Basu received the torch from Atin Ghosh at the tent.

This was followed by three consecutive football matches – first between Mohun Bagan juniors and Mona Guin Coaching Centre, where the green and maroon brigade won 2-0. Then there was another match between the ex-players of the club.  Participants include players like Vijayan, Ancheri, Tarun De, Shyam Thapa, Amit Das and more. Mohun Bagan whites won 2-1 against Mohun Bagan Maroon-and -green.  Later Kolkata Sports Journalist Club won against Artists Forum by 3-0

  

In this auspicious occasion former players, cinema artists, political leaders and other famous personalities were present. At a glittering function in the evening at the club ground, the club awarded  ‘Mohun Bagan Ratna’ to the family members of the 9 triumphant footballers – family members of Bhuti Sukul could not be contacted. Before that H.E. Mr. N.K.Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal and   Post Master General Mr. S. Chakraborty released a special cover for the memorial of the 1911 team. Later there was a fantastic cultural programme, performed by Sraboni Sen, Lopamudra Mitra and Bangla Band Chandrabindoo. There were three Padmashrees Sailen Manna, Chuni Goswami and P.K. Banerjee were beside ministers of Govt. of West Bengal and Central Government. The Mayor of Kolkata was also there.

 

MohunBaganclub.com salute this immortal-XI of 1911 with full of respect, emotion and love. Jai Ho Mohun Bagan.

29th July, Mohun Bagan,as usual the day will be celebrated with emotion, respect and love for football. On that day in 1911 Mohun Bagan won the IFA Shield first ever by beating East Yorkshire Regiment. That victory against a British team brought great strength to the nation as per freedom fighting is concerned. So this is not only the victory of IFA Shield for the first time by a Indian team but it is related with fight for Independence against the British colonial rule also. This year the memorable victory step into 100th year and Mohun Bagan Athletic Club management decided to celebrate the great day over the year with various programme.

This the red letter day for Indian football as well as Indian history. There are various programmes today in the club tent.

The main gate is built like IFA Shield trophy and the main stage is built in the shape of the club’s logo “sailing boat”.

   

MB Gate                                                                              Immortal XI Glow Sign by SMS

There will be three exhibition matches will be held at Mohun Bagan ground from 1.30 pm. First match will be played between Mohun Bagan junior team versus Mona Guin Coachig centre. This year is the birth centenary of Ex-Mohun Bagan captain Mona Guin as well. So this match is also significant as well. After that the match between Ex players and later another match between Sports Journalists-XI and Artist Forum-XI will be played.

A “Special Cover” duly authorized by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Government of India, would be released by H.E. Mr. M.K. Narayanan, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal and a music album of the movie “Eagaro”, the movie related with the great victory of IFA Shield on 1911 will be released as well.

After that Mohun Bagan Ratna will be conferred posthumously to the Team Members of 1911 (except captain Shibdas Bhaduri who has already been honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna before). The nearest relatives of the players will be will take that award from the stage.

Road to victory: IFA Shield 1911

July 10: 1st round, Rangers ground, Mohun Bagan  3-0 St. Xaviers

                                                                  (Abhilash Ghosh, Bijoydas Bhaduri 2)

July 14: 2nd round, Customs ground, Mohun Bagan  2-1 Rangers

                                                                    (Shibdas Bhaduri 2)   

July 19: 3rd round, Dalhousie ground, Mohun Bagan  1-0 Rifle Brigade

                                                                      (Bijoydas Bhaduri)

July 24: Semi final, Dalhousie ground, Mohun Bagan  1-1 Middlesex Regiment

                                                                      (Jatindranath Roy)

July 25: Repeat semi final, Dalhousie ground, Mohun Bagan 3-0 Middlesex Regiment

                                                                         (Shibdas Bhaduri, Habul Sarkar, Jatindranath Roy)

July 29: Final, Mohun Bagan  2-1 East Yorkshire Regiment

                          (Shibdas Bhaduri, Abhilash Ghosh)

 

A Glow-sign board (picture above)  will be inagurated by Hon. Gen Secretary Mr. Anjan Mitra and executive comitee, presented by Sabuj Maroon Swapno (SMS). There will be the various cultural programme will held also at the main stage by the famous artists like Sraboni Sen, Lopamudra Mitra, Bangla Band 'Chandrabindoo'.

Gerard Ambassa Guy, the Cameroonian-born Hong Kong footballer arrived Kolkata for trial in Mohun Bagan as player of Asian origin. He was in the ground today morning and did light practice under Stanley. In the after-noon he did some physical training and stretching as well. He has played last match on May 25th, 2010, that is why coach needs to see his fitness first. Stanley also added that he doesn’t want to say any thing before see him in practice in next few days.

This 6ft.1in. footballer was the member of Cameroon under-23 team from 1995 to 2000. And he played for Hong-Kong national football team also and scored 6 goals in 21 matches. Gerard was born on 21^st September, 1978 and his last played club was South China Club, Hong Kong. He has also played for Happy Valley, Yee Hope, Instant-Dict and Rangers (HKG) in the past.

Now this 31 years player, whose nickname is JJ, needs to prove himself eligible for Mohun Bagan. However, time will tell that. Mean while, officials is not going to sign any agreement with him before the meeting of AIFF which is going to be held on the first week of August. Because in that meeting there will be decided how many players of foreigners quota as well as Asian will be allowed to play for a club in this season.

 

Picture Courtesy: Bartaman