To Madrid on August 25

ADK release says...

Atlético de Kolkata has now added three more players: Basilio Sancho (Goalkeeper), Ofentse Nato (Central Midfielder) and Fikru Teferra (Striker)

Spain Calling:

14 Indian players of Atlético de Kolkata showcased in Kolkata prior to the month long training in Madrid

~ The Team will be training at the Los Angeles de San Rafael training ground in El Espinar, Segovia, Spain, at an altitude of 1240 meters above sea level ~

~ The squad to train for a month under Head Coach Antonio Lopez Habas, leaving for Spain in 25^th August 2014 ~

~ Marquee player Luis Garcia and other foreign players will be joining the squad for training ~

Kolkata, 22^nd August, 2014: Reiterating the promise of giving a global exposure to the Indian players of the Kolkata franchise, Atlético de Kolkata from Indian Super League showcased the dynamic Indian players chosen during the domestic draft last month. The team also announced today that the 14 domestic players are gearing up for the challenging month long training at Los Angeles de San Rafael ground in El Espinar, Segovia, Spain. The training module has been designed to get the footballers in right physical shape to tackle the demanding season of Indian Super League commencing in October in perfect condition. Atlético de Kolkata would be training with the domestic as well as the international players under Head Coach,Antonio Lopez Habas and Trainer Miguel Martinez.

“This training is our primary measure towards building a team. My role as a coach is to develop the bonding and understanding between the players who come with diverse background and experiences across the world. I am really looking forward to an exciting camaraderie between the footballers prior to the season. The decision to train at a higher altitude would put the abilities of players under scrutiny and in the long run benefit the players to match pace and energy when they play in familiar conditions in India.”

-          Mr. Antonio Lopez Habas, Head Coach, Atlético de Kolkata

Atlético de Kolkata will start training in Los Angeles de San Rafael 27^th August onwards. The concentration in Segovia will be very important to achieve optimal fitness for the players in the face of the challenges posed by the first season of Indian Super League. The training would consist of specific exercises and players will undergo ball coordination, energy and agility movements to keep the pace up for 90 minutes. Training would also consist of various ball works building up the stamina with working groups and defensive tactical synchronization.

“My job would be getting the players in the right shape prior to the kick off. The technical aspect of the players would be scrutinized for the whole month in order to achieve their optimum potential. The efficiency of the training routine at an altitude would definitely be new to some of the players and they need to acclimatize to the conditions and push the extra mile to reach the targets. I will be setting short and long term targets to make the program realistic yet consistent and moderate specific weaknesses of the players.”

-          Mr. Miguel Martinez, Physical Coach, Atlético de Kolkata

For the league’s inaugural edition Atlético de Kolkata bagged fourteen promising names from Indian football namely - Arnab Mondal, Mohammed Rafi, Mohammed Rafique, Rakesh Masih, Cavin Lobo, Biswajit Saha, Denzil Franco, Sanju Pradhan, Kingshuk Debnath, Lester Fernandez, Subhasish R Chowdhury, Baljit Sahni, Climax Lawrence and Nallappan Mohanraj. These players will be training with the likes of marquee player Luis Garcia and first signed player, Borja Fernandes. The foreign recruits selected during the draft on 21^st of August would also be joining the team for this training program.

“We at Atlético de Kolkata are sure that this program is definitely going to create a difference in the end results for the team. Slowly we are getting into the groove as a team and moving towards the business end. The Indian contingent would benefit from the vast experience of Antonio Lopez Habas and our marquee player Luis Garcia.”

-          Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata

“Our endeavour to showcase the finest quality of football in the Indian Super League is taking its first step forward and as promised the players are entitled for the best facilities to ensure their growth and superior performance. What is required at the moment is building up a positive attitude. It will determine how well we perform in the upcoming ISL. I am greatly satisfied with our pool of Indian players and would want them raring to go on the turf. They have the ability and the motivation to win as a team will be provided during this training in Spain.”

-          Mr. Sourav Ganguly, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata, former  captain, Indian Cricket Team

 “The potential of Indian footballers will be tested and we at Atlético de Kolkata would not like to keep any stone unturned in providing the players the best training facilities to ensure top-notch performance during the upcoming Indian Super League.”

-          Mr. Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata

“We want the team to develop the never say die attitude by the end of their sojourn in Spain. I am sure the players will be rightly motivated and inspired by our Head Coach Habas. We have a very competitive bunch of players and favourable bench strength. By the end of this camp we are hoping to find these players who will have the potential to match the best in Indian Super League. ” 

-           Mr. Utsav Parekh, Co-owner, Atlético de Kolkata, Chairman, SMIFS Capital Markets Ltd.

“It is important to make the best effort to play at an optimum level every day you get on the field. We will be up against players who have shown the world their credentials over and over again. To sustain the effort of playing against the best and match their skills it is necessary to group together before the league starts. I believe this camp will surely do a world of good for our Indian players and help them to coordinate better on field.”

-          Mr. Jose Ramirez Barreto, Assistant Coach, Atlético de Kolkata

Atlético de Kolkata will compete against the seven teams in Indian Super League. The franchise’s dedication and commitment towards a sustainable growth of football is on top of its agenda. Atlético de Kolkata will leverage on the over 100-year experience of Atlético de Madrid’s sporting model of academies which enables them recognize and empower talent from the very grassroots.