Since winning the IFA Shield 100 years ago, passion for India's Mohun Bagan is still high, says Dileep Premachandran
When India finally opted for a national league in 1997/98, Mohun Bagan won it three times in the first six years.
Since then, two top-three finishes aside, they have struggled to match performance with reputation. Last season, they finished sixth, with as many losses (eight) as there were wins.
This month, one of Indian football's traditional big two - East Bengal, their bitter rivals, last won the title in 2004 - celebrate the centenary of one of the epochal events in Indian sport, an event that was to provide a massive fillip for the game in British-ruled India.
After the English and Scottish FA Cups and India's own Durand Cup, the Indian Football Association (IFA) Shield is the world's oldest cup competition. First played in 1893, it was a highly prized event attracting the best British regiments by the time the 1911 final was played at the Calcutta Football Club grounds at Ballygunge in south Kolkata.
The state of Bengal had been partitioned in 1905 and a new wave of Indian nationalism that would culminate in independence four decades later was on the rise. The early months of 1911 had seen another significant event, the shifting of the capital from Calcutta to Edwin Lutyens-built New Delhi.
The East Yorkshire regiment was the empire's representative in the final. Lined up against them was Bagan, whose progress to the title game had been an odyssey in itself. Formed in 1889, the club's progress had ruffled more than a few feathers. In 1909, they defeated the Gordon Highlanders in a tournament, provoking some soldiers to rough up the local support.
They started the IFA Shield of 1911 with a 3-0 win against St Xavier's, despite being a man short. Sudhir Chatterjee, the left-back who would later go on to teach at Trinity College in Cambridge, wasn't granted leave by the college where he taught. Bagan played a 2-3-5 formation in those days and were easy winners over the two halves of 25 minutes.
It was a different matter in the second round, with the monsoon rains reducing the ground to slush. As with the national side on their Olympic debut in 1948, Bagan played in bare feet and the players were like novices on ice at times during the clash with Rangers, another regimental side. They still won 2-0, having survived a dubious penalty decision against them.
The Rifle Brigade were seen off in the quarter-final before a huge crowd gathered to watch them match wits with the Middlesex Regiment. The game did not touch the heights of cynicism reached by Argentina's Estudiantes in the late 1960s, but the underlying menace from both sides shocked many an observer.
Middlesex's goal came after a goalmouth fracas that saw Hiralal Mukherjee, the Bagan goalkeeper, badly injured. The game finished 1-1, and Bagan exacted retribution in the replay. Abhilash Ghosh's challenge on Piggott, the goalkeeper, saw him nearly lose an eye, and though he returned to the fray, the "natives" won 3-0.
Interest in the final was unprecedented, with additional ferries across the Ganges. More than 80,000 crowded into the grounds, many of them with little hope of seeing any action. Reuters reported that flying kites kept supporters updated.
East Yorkshire led early in the second half, and the kite sent up was black in colour. With the clock ticking down, Shibdas Bhaduri swept home the equaliser. This time, the kite that soared into the Kolkata sky was maroon-and-green, Bagan colours. Soon after, Shibdas scythed through the defence, drew men to him and left Ghosh, the strong arm against Middlesex, with a tap-in.
Bengalis are renowned for their celebration of festivals and that carnival atmosphere was prevalent after the Bagan win.
"When it was known that the East Yorkshire Regiment had been beaten, the Bengalees were tearing off their shirts and waving them," said Reuters.
The Daily Mail too praised the champions, saying: "It was a notable victory, gained over the best British regimental teams, and not even the sweltering heat of Calcutta to which the Bengalees are better insured than the white man, can discount it."
As the years passed, it became apparent that Bagan's success was more a one-off than the first step in establishing a dynasty. A century on, though, the team can still call on immense support. Close to 120,000 packed in to the Salt Lake Stadium in 2008 to bid farewell to Oliver Kahn as Ottmar Hitzfeld's Bayern Munich beat Bagan in a friendly.
It brought back memories of September 1977, when Pele's New York Cosmos came to town and brought the city to a standstill.
And while only the most dedicated fans will be aware of 1911 and the spirit that inspired a famous win, the passion endures, even if kites are no longer needed to keep score.
sports@thenational.ae
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Abu Dhabi race card
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company%20Profile
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
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Racecard
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THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Price, base: Dh132,000
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm
Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
'Midnights'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taylor%20Swift%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Republic%20Records%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Asian Cup 2019
Quarter-final
UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain