Emami Group has concluded its role as an investor in East Bengal Football Club (EBFC), transferring all its shares and voting rights back to the club on Tuesday. The group, however, will continue its association with East Bengal as a sponsor.
Emami said it remains committed to the growth and development of Indian football and will continue to support East Bengal and its sporting ambitions.
“While stepping away from its investment and management role, it will continue its association with East Bengal Club as a sponsor, supporting the club and its ongoing sporting ambitions,” Emami said in a release.
“The Group remains proud of its association with East Bengal and wishes the Club, its players, officials, and supporters continued success in the seasons ahead,” it added.
The development comes two days after East Bengal ended a 22-year wait for the Durand Cup, beating arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the final to lift the trophy for a record-equalling 17th time.
Edmund Lalrindika was the star of the final, scoring a hat-trick as East Bengal produced a dominant first-half display. Bipin Singh opened the scoring in the 10th minute after captain Mohammed Rashid won possession in the opposition half and slipped the ball through to him.
Bipin calmly drilled a left-footed effort from inside the box past Vishal Kaith.
East Bengal doubled their lead two minutes later when Lalrindika broke forward on the counter and unleashed a powerful effort from around 20 yards. The shot took a deflection off Kaith before finding the net.
Lalrindika struck again in the 22nd minute. Hardik Bhatt picked up the ball on the left and fed Daniel Ramirez, who threaded it through to the striker. Lalrindika took a touch into the box, rounded the advancing Kaith and finished into an empty net.
Mohun Bagan pulled one back through Manvir Singh in the 33rd minute, but East Bengal restored their three-goal advantage before half-time.
Rashid was involved again, delivering a teasing cross to the far side of the box. Jay Gupta arrived at pace and squared the ball across goal, allowing Lalrindika to complete his hat-trick in the 44th minute.
East Bengal remained disciplined after the break to comfortably see out the match and deny Mohun Bagan any chance of a comeback.
The victory ended East Bengal’s 22-year wait for the Durand Cup, having last won the competition in 2004 with a 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan. The result also took East Bengal level with their arch-rivals on 17 Durand Cup titles each in the 135-year history of the competition.
For coach Antonio Lopez Habas, the victory carried added significance given his ties to both sides of the Kolkata derby.
Habas previously guided ATK to two ISL titles, in 2014 and 2019-20, and also enjoyed a successful stint with Mohun Bagan. He returned to the Kolkata derby as East Bengal’s head coach after Oscar Bruzon’s departure.
The Spaniard has quickly put his stamp on the new-look East Bengal side, bringing greater defensive solidity, midfield cohesion and discipline.
He had already masterminded a memorable comeback against Kuwait’s Al-Arabi SC in an AFC Champions League knockout fixture, overturning a 0-1 deficit in extra time.
Emami’s decision to step away from its investment and management role marks a change in its relationship with East Bengal, but the group’s continued sponsorship means its association with the club will remain in place.
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