Defending champions of the inaugural India Super League (ISL), Atletico de Kolkata, is planning to go pan-India with its merchandise next year.

According to Sanjiv Goenka, co-owner Atletico de Kolkata, and Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, plans are being worked out and by next year team merchandise will be up for sale nationally.

Apart from Goenka, the Kolkata-franchise is co-owned by cricketer, Saurav Ganguly, industrialist Harsh Neotia and businessman Utsav Parek and former ‘La Liga’ ( one of the European football league) champions Atletico Madrid.

“Plans are afoot. And by next year, our merchandise should go pan India,” he told BusinessLine on the sidelines of an event organised to welcome the sports living legend Pele here in the city. Pele, who came to Kolkata on Sunday, is here in the city after 38 years.

Pele will also witness Atletico’s first home match of this season (the second season of ISL) tomorrow (October 13).

Atletico de Kolkata, already has a kiosk selling its mechandise located at the basement level in one of the city malls. The mall – Quest Mall – is owned by Sanjiv Goenka’s CESC Ltd.

The kiosk currently has the official jersey along with other merchandises like kit-boxes and so on. Tickets for the football matches can also be obtained from here.

According to Goenka, plans are also afoot to bring in a full time CEO for Atletico de Kolkata. Candidates have been short-listed and a call will be made soon.

This apart, several fan engagement initiatives will also be taken up by the team, across all medi; including digital ones.

“Brand spends will increase this year. Fan engagement programs including social media, will also be taken up,” he said.

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