"The job is only half done": Mohammedan Sporting president Sultan Ahmed

Bangalore - The wait ends. But “the job is only half done.”

Mohammedan Sporting, a club steeped in history, have qualified for next season’s I-League after a span of four years. But club president Sultan Ahmed wants to make sure his century-old club makes a mark this time in the premier division.

“The job is only half done,” Ahmed quipped as he paused. He had to, as wild celebrations were going on around. Then the jubilant players come to call their president for a team photo. Ahmed obliges. Looking at the horizon, he comes back and points out: “You need to remember that Mohammedan Sporting ended the British dominance in 1941.

“It was sad that we were out of the I-League for so long. Now that we have qualified, our aim is to stay in the I-League. We have not managed to do that in the past. I maintain that the job is only half done.”

Ahmed was referring to the Durand Cup triumph in 1941 when Mohammedan Sporting ended British monopoly.

Coach Sanjoy Sen echoed the president’s sentiments. “Now that we have made to the I-League, we have to broaden our spectrum. Mohammedan Sporting is one of the premier clubs of the country. There is so much history involved,” he said.

“But one cannot rest on past laurels. We have not done well in the recent past. The trend needs to change.”

Under Sen, Mohammedan Sporting topped their group in the first phase without facing a single reversal. In the final phase, they have been by far the most consistent club.

“We have a good bunch of players and they have excelled. It was a team effort. We do not have big names. As a unit the boys played well and were organised. We played according to a plan and that worked wonders,” Sen admitted.