Bollywood star Mithun Chakrabarty on Wednesday took over the football team of Howrah Union, an old and traditional club in Kolkata. The agreement between Chakrabarty and the club was signed on Wednesday at a city hotel.
Initially, the agreement is for five years, which may be extended. According to sources, Mithun will contribute Rs 36 lakh per year. HU, which at present plays in the first division of the football league run by the Indian Football Association, spends Rs 35-40 lakh yearly for its team.
Mithun, whose first love is football, had committed to do his bit for the game in April when he bought a team in Zee-promoted Indian Cricket League (ICL). He wanted to buy a football club, which has its own ground, tent and other facilities in the heart of the city. HU fulfils all these criteria.
From now on, HU will be known as Royal Bengal Tigers Howrah Union. It will have its own academy as well. Mithun will visit a number of countries, including Mexico, to bring footballers. “We hope to play in the Premier Division soon,” he said.