Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Bengali film star Jeet's Grassroot Entertainment Private Limited on Wednesday announced that they have signed a long-term agreement with Premier Futsal to acquire the Kolkata franchise of the league.
The agreement, for an undisclosed sum, makes Kolkata the second franchise to be sold after the promoters of football club Chennai City FC -- among the oldest in the city -- picked up the league's Chennai team.
"Football has a huge, fervent following in Kolkata, where love for the sport is passed on from one generation to the next. It is therefore a matter of great pride for me to introduce the faster, shorter version, of the beautiful game to Kolkatans," Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd director Jeet said in a release.
"Through futsal, the young generation can hone their skills and talent, which will uplift their quality and eventually benefit in long-term development of footballers. I'm certain it will capture people's imaginations and thrive and I urge people to come forward and support our initiative to lead the Kolkata franchise of Premier Futsal to glory."
The Kolkata franchise will be called Kolkata 5s. In the inaugural season, each team will be similarly named. The franchise-owners will then be allowed to rebrand their respective teams from the second season onward.
Premier Futsal managing director Dinesh Raj said, "It gives me immense pride to announce Jeet and Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Asowners of our Kolkata franchise. We are delighted to have a superstar of Jeet's stature backing Premier Futsal and playing his part to grow it in what is football's Indian heartland."
"The response we have received from prospective owners across all cities validates our decision to get behind Futsal as sport. We will unveil owners of the other franchises very soon."
Each franchise will be assigned a marquee international football player, seven international and five Indian Futsallers for their squad to participate in the inaugural season through a player draft scheduled later this month.
The league, which has roped in international stars like Alessandro Rosa Vieira, fondly known as 'Falcao', Deco, Paul Scholes and Michel Salgado will kick start from July 15.
Portuguese legend Luis Figo is the president of the tournament.
