JamKeKhelo

 

Image Credit—Indian Super League.

As an Indian football fan, I grew up supporting clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid. However, deep down I used to feel it would have been so wonderful if my own province had a world-class football team. After all, how can one not love his birthplace and want it to succeed at every level? The dream did become a reality in 2017 when it was announced that Jamshedpur FC would be competing in the Indian Super League season. The happiness was on another level. My state has a club now, and we will be fighting not only in the top tier of Indian football but also for a place in the Asian Championships.

The club performed well on the domestic level but failed to capitalize in the crunch moments. Eventually, in 2022, after defying all odds, we became the champions of the shield and were in for the Asian race now. It felt that our moment had come. But no one knew that 4 years later the club would become a matter of the past.

Jamshedpur FC has been dissolved, with its ownership and sporting license transferred to Churchill Brothers FC. The financial burden took over the club, which made them sell their stakes. It is a known fact that Indian football is going through one of its darkest phases. The uncertainty and monetary losses have pushed clubs to the brink of closure. Though I never expected my club would be the first major victim because of Tata's ownership.

However, the unexpected has happened, and my club is gone. My players gave their best in the last outing wherein they went down fighting in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup against mighty Mohun Bagan. Sadly we won't see them play again.