Bengali cinema star Jeet's Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. has signed a long-term agreement with Premier Futsal to acquire the Kolkata franchise of the world's first-ever multi-nation futsal league.
The Kolkata franchise will be christened 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.
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.
Jeet expressed his delight after managing to secure the deal for the second Premier Futsla franchise. He even went on to add that the shorter version of the game should be able to attract kids to take up the sport.
"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 Kolkatians," Jeet explained.
"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."
After Jeet's company acquired the Kolkata franchise, Premier Futsal Managing Director, Dinesh Raj said, "It gives me immense pride to announce Jeet and Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. as owners 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."
