Kolkata Maidan is a grooming ground for football in Bengal. In Kolkata, there are five to six major clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Bhawanipur, and Kalighat. Besides these, there are several town clubs. Many clubs in Kolkata are facing financial troubles and junior players are struggling due to a lack of basic facilities. Panch Kori Dutta, a former football player, said, “Running a club demands manpower and the right infrastructure. We have to provide meals, manage operations smoothly, and ensure all systems are in place because without proper structure and care, nothing truly works,” he added. Bisakh Kumar Ghosh, president of Town Club, said, “We try to raise funds and seek donations, but our standard today depends heavily on sponsorship without which it’s difficult to sustain.”
