FROM TRAINING at the now obliterated Sector 17 Football Stadium by paying every day lease to playing in the I-League a year ago with no support, the city-based Minerva Punjab FC have seen everything. On Thursday, as the club made history by turning into the main football group from north India to win the title following a hole of 21 years, it was festivity time for the 22 players and the group administration at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, here in Panchkula.
"It is a conclusion to the long sit tight for us and I am a calmed individual today. It has been exceptionally intense for us. Last season, we played with no patrons and the main logo we had on our shirts was that of the Indian Armed Forces. A year ago, my dad took an advance of Rs 45 lakh against his Provident Fund and, this year, as well, we took an advance of Rs 20 lakh. The title win has approved every one of the things for us. It is out of the blue that we have won and we intend to commend it by demonstrating the trophy to the Tricity on an open-top transport. Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has likewise revealed to us that the administration will hold a gathering for the group," said Ranjit Bajaj, the proprietor of Minerva Punjab FC.
While the last season saw the Punjab equip, based at Daun town close Kharar, completing ninth in the standings, this season saw the group scoring 35 indicates in 18 amusements win the title. Thursday's 1-0 prevail upon Churchill Brothers was Minerva Punjab FC's eleventh win in the association. This was additionally the first occasion when that the group played five of its home matches in Panchkula and mentor Khogen Singh was all acclaim for the players. "It was extreme with no home base for us nearer to our institute. Furthermore, when we moved our home matches to Panchkula from Ludhiana, it made things less demanding for us. When I played for Air India, I sought to win the I-League. Also, to win the class as a mentor is an alternate feeling," spouted Khogen.
Unexpectedly, the club will likewise be playing in the AIFF Super Cup in the not so distant future. The Super Cup will highlight the best six groups of the ISL and I-League. "There was some dissatisfaction halfway. Be that as it may, at that point, the players realized that the title will end all the negative contemplations. We generally thought like being a decent sprinter and others running behind us. Be that as it may, I-League is the help for rivalries like ISL. Players like Gagandeep, Jeje and others have gotten through the I-League," included Khogen.