Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mumbai City FC on Thursday announced the launch of the club’s official Esports team, becoming the first Indian football club to field a team in the FIFA Global Series. 

Recognising the global reach of Esports along with its ability to bring fans closer to the club, the Islanders have signed Saksham ‘Sakky’ Rattan and Siddh ‘Jenasidfc’ Chandarana who will represent Mumbai City in FIFA 22 events nationally and internationally including the FIFA Global Series, in both 1v1 and 2v2 competitions.

“It’s a huge honour for me to be representing the best club in India and I am excited by the huge opportunity that is presented to me. Mumbai City have ambitions to be at the very top, and that can be seen through the success the club has achieved not only on the pitch but also off it in recent times,” Saksham Rattan said after signing for the ISL champions.

Saksham and Siddh, ranked third and fifth in India respectively, have participated in and won various tournaments at the international stage while representing the nation, including the FIFA eNations Series and ESL Asia Cup. 

“Being a Mumbai boy and a Mumbai City fan, it was impossible for me to turn down the opportunity to represent my home club. I know what it means to be a Mumbaikar, to live and feel that spirit of the city. Naturally, I want to do what I love the most with the team and the city I love the most and I am confident that this is where I am supposed to be,” Siddh Chandarana said.

“Saksham and I have played together and against each other plenty of times and we’re prepared to take this challenge head-on, do our absolute best and compete well,” he added.

Mumbai City FC CEO Kandarp Chandra expressed his delight in launching their Esports team and also welcomed Saksham and Siddh to the Mumbai City family.

"Gaming and Esports have brought another dimension to sport and we recognise the potential it has and the impact it can have on the football landscape in India. Through the power of Esports, we intend to increase our presence not just in India but globally and harness it to give our fans a holistic experience of supporting their favourite club, both on and off the pitch,” Chandra stated after the landmark announcement. 

“Being the first football club in India to field a team in the prestigious FIFA Global Series, we are confident that we have acquired the services of two incredibly talented FIFA players who will help this club achieve greatly on an international stage and lay a strong foundation for Mumbai City to grow their Esports efforts in the future,” Mumbai City FC CEO added. 

Featured photo: Indian Super League



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