The board of ATK Mohun Bagan on Friday decided to retain the iconic green and maroon jersey which has been synonymous with the 131-year-old legacy of the football club.
The name of the club will be changed to ATK Mohun Bagan while the logo will have the iconic Mohun Bagan boat with addition of ‘’ATK’’ to it.
“The culture and tradition which has made the brand a household name has been preserved. The logo retains its essence.
“The addition of ATK within the logo ensures that the fast-growing and passionate following built on a short but highly successful period is also being carried forward,” the merged entity said in a statement.
Read: Potential precedent or historic mistake? What Mohun Bagan-ATK merger could hold for Indian football
The iconic green and maroon colours of Mohun Bagan jersey retained pic.twitter.com/zBgr7Lmovn
— Mohun Bagan (@Mohun_Bagan) July 10, 2020
The iconic green and maroon colours of Mohun Bagan jersey retained pic.twitter.com/Vx2hm67FN7
— ATK (@ATKFC) July 10, 2020
The club also announced its plans to build a world class football academy in Bengal and to refurbish the existing Mohun Bagan facility so that ISL and AFC home games are held there.
“Mohun Bagan have been close to my heart since childhood. I have had the honour to watch the Green and Maroon play some of their best football,” principal owner Sanjiv Goenka, who acquired a majority stake of 80 per cent in Mohun bagan, said.
“We respect legacy and have retained the same jersey which generations down the line have embraced, adored and loved.
“My dream is to establish ATK Mohun Bagan as a world class team which earns its place in the international circuit.”
Welcome to the #HeroISL 🤝@ATKFC @Mohun_Bagan pic.twitter.com/h1qCj8SAzo
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) July 10, 2020
Steps are being taken to ensure that ATK Mohun Bagan gets access to the best infrastructure and training to compete in the international arena, it added.
Indian Cricket Board president Sourav Ganguly, who is a co-owner of ATK and a director of the board, also attended the virtual meeting lasting less than 30 minutes.
“I salute the coming together of ATK and Mohun Bagan. Together the brand name ATK Mohun Bagan will create history,” the former India captain said.
ATK, who had announced the merger in January this year, won a record third ISL title this season beating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final in March.
Also Read: The complete team: ATK’s record ISL triumph was fuelled by ability to win in more ways than one
Mohun Bagan on the other hand won the I-League with four rounds to spare before the tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like Dempo, Mohun Bagan have been India champions five times since the National League began in 1996-97.
Mohun Bagan had mixed reactions after the move that was otherwise welcomed by the Indian football fraternity.
To @Mohun_Bagan fans
— Chiranjit Ojha (@ChiranjitOjha) July 10, 2020
1) @RP_SanjivGoenka has taken a step of goodwill towards us, embrace him
2) Remember, prefix doesn't matter. Uphold the Mohun Bagan badge, colours & identity proudly
3) Ensuring commercial success is key to removing ATK prefix in the future#JoyMohunBagan pic.twitter.com/OgSOHcRsFI
This is incredible and absolutely the correct decision - great decision by the RPSG family. Can’t wait to play you next season @ATKFC @Mohun_Bagan https://t.co/OFTpKh0GXq
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) July 10, 2020
Putting all speculation to rest, this is the jersey.
— The Mariners' (@MohunBaganFans) July 10, 2020
We don't see any problem in this also. pic.twitter.com/6ahkc1nsUk
I can feel the dust of my ancestors' bones prickle with indignation at this.
— Nirmalya Dutta (@nirmalyadutta23) July 10, 2020
New ATK Mohun Bagan logo pic.twitter.com/Os8RMMdypW
(With inputs from PTI)