‘Shutdown a board decision, will honour players’ contracts’: Tata Steel on Jamshedpur FC shutdown | Football News
KOLKATA: Even as an online petition was started by fans all over the country to save Jamshedpur FC and appeals to save the club kept growing louder, Tata Steel vice-president clarified in a news conference in Jamshedpur on Monday that the decision was entirely that of the Tata Steel board and the company will fulfil the players’ current contracts.“The decision is entirely Tata Steel board’s and has no connection of any kind with any financial irregularity or discrepancy,” Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services), DB Sundar Ramam said.“Players will receive full payment as per their contract. Besides this, Tata Steel will also try to ensure that these players can get opportunities to play in other clubs, so that their careers are not adversely affected in any way.”Sundar Ramam said the aim of the company was never to earn profit in sports but to “provide opportunities to players, promote sports culture and prepare future talent” and that was the philosophy with which it operated Jamshedpur FC over the years.“Tata Steel invested about Rs 30 to 35 crore annually in the club’s operations, and, with the support of other sponsors, about Rs 320 crore has been invested in the club so far. In the last 9 years, JFC made many accomplishments and Tata Steel is proud of this entire journey,” he added.He also added that the aim of the company will remain on grassroots development.“The closure of JFC’s operations does not mean that football will end in Jamshedpur. Tata Steel will continue to provide every possible support in the city for football competitions, local clubs, training programmes and young players,” he said while adding that Jamshedpur’s rich football tradition will continue and new talents will keep getting opportunities to move forward.
