Mohammedan Sporting Club

Mohammedan Sporting Club is a renowned Indian multi-sports club based in Kolkata, West Bengal. Their football team competes in the I-League, the second-tier of Indian football, and the Calcutta Football League (CFL), which stands as the oldest football league in Asia. Founded in February 1891, the club holds the distinction of being one of the oldest active football clubs in India.

More than three decades after its formation, Mohammedan Sporting Club became affiliated with the Indian Football Association (IFA) and earned promotion to the premier division of CFL in 1933. The following year, they achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian team to win the league, and in 1938, they became the first team to win it for five consecutive times. In 1960, after India’s independence, Mohammedan became the first Indian club to win a football tournament on foreign soil by securing the Aga Khan Gold Cup.

As a founding member of India’s first nationwide league, the National Football League (NFL), in 1996, Mohammedan Sporting Club has contributed significantly to the growth of football in the country. While they have not won a top-tier league, they managed to clinch the NFL Second Division title in 2004–05, qualifying for the NFL, and the 2020 I-League Qualifiers, earning a spot in the I-League.

Founded during India’s independence movement, Mohammedan Sporting Club has been a symbol of progressive Muslim identity during turbulent times. The club enjoys significant support from the Muslim population of Bengal and played a crucial role in promoting football among them during its foundation days. This has led to historical rivalries with cross-town competitors, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, primarily supported by the Hindu population of Bengal in the early decades. However, over time, these rivalries have become non-communal and less significant due to fewer encounters in major tournaments.