GUWAHATI, March 23 � Bhrati Airtel has agreed to fund the football team and the football academy of the Gauhati Town Club (GTC).
The GTC and the Airtel today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard and from now onwards the football team will be known as Airtel GTC Football Club and academy has been rechristened as Airtel GTC Football Academy.
In a press conference at the GTC club house today, club general secretary Devajit Saikia said the corporate house will provide a reasonable amount to run both the football team and the academy for three years.
Speaking on the occasion, Airtel COO George Mathen, who recently took over from Sudipta Choudhury, said they are committed to extend a helping hand for the development of all the activities, specially sports, in the entire north-eastern region.
Saikia also revealed that GTC will play in the Indian 2nd Division League to be held at Tinsukia and Digboi from March 27. The team will meet Arhima Club of Shillong on the opening day at Tinsukia.
The GTC has included two Brazilian players � Antonio Freitus and Roger Barbosa � in its football team. The team also have some players from Manipur, Mizoram.
Assam Football Association secretary Ankur Dutta said both the venues for the league are superb and they expect a good tournament, which was earlier, allotted to Agartala. GSA general secretary Munin Nobis, GTC vice-president Sankar Dutta Lahkar were also present in the press conference, which was anchored by Airtel official Anjuli Chittaranjan. GTC coach Juliano Fontana spoke about the preparation of the team and hoped all the players will perform well in the forthcoming championship.
