Carts with statues of former Mohun Bagan players are driven through the streets of Kolkata during celebrations marking the club's history in 2011. NEW DELHI: India's oldest and most successful football club merged Thursday with a rival Kolkata side after years of financial trouble, giving a shot in the arm to one of two leagues fighting for dominance in the sport.
The ISL, which has now grown to 10 teams, has in six years outstripped the older I-League and its 11 teams in broadcast ratings. It still has a special place in the hearts of Indian fans, but attendances have fallen in recent years and sponsors difficult to find.