JCT to revive its football team

Inaugural National Football League (NFL) champions JCT Saturday decided to revive its football team, three years after disbanding the team citing lack of exposure and visibility.

JCT's decision to revive the team comes at a time when corporates are pumping money in Indian football with the Indian Super League (ISL), an IPL style football tournament to be held October.

In a press conference here at the team's base camp, JCT Ltd chairman Samir Thapar said that they will field a team in the second division I-League this season.

"It gives me great pleasure to announce that we have decided to bring back our football team," he said.

Thapar also said that JCT in collaboration with Arsenal Soccer School has also decided to establish a football academy - India On Track (IOT).

Recalling their 2011 decision, he said disbanding the club that was formed in 1971 was indeed a painful one.

"Three years ago we had to disband the team that was formed in 1971. Today I am really happy to announce that we are forming the team again. Soon we will have a good team and will start out campaign in the second division," said Thapar, a motorsports enthusiast.

Thapar wants JCT to be back among the elite in Indian football by the next season. He also said that the team will take technical help from Arsenal Soccer School and players IOT.

The IOT will come up at the JCT Complex here and will initially induct 50 players from Punjab in the age group of 10 to 16.