Atletico Madrid returns to Indian league football with Inter Kashi, led by former JFC coach Santamarina

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Atletico Madrid has reentered the Indian football scene, forging a partnership with the newly established Indian I-League team, Inter Kashi. This marks Atletico Madrid's return to league football in India, a significant development in the country's football landscape.

Inter Kashi, based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is the brainchild of the Kolkata-based conglomerate RDB Group, and the collaboration extends to other international clubs, including former Andorran league champions Inter Escalades and FC Andorra, a club co-owned by FC Barcelona legend Gerard Pique, competing in the Segunda Division of the Spanish League.

The primary goal of this partnership is to create the first national-level football club in Uttar Pradesh, centred in Varanasi. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of nurturing football talent at the grassroots level, given the absence of national-level clubs in the region.

Atletico Madrid's involvement extends beyond the first team, as they plan to establish the Bharat Athletic Academy to develop football at the grassroots level. This partnership will be led by Carlos Santamarina, who has four years of experience as the head coach of the Tata Football Academy.

Furthermore, the Indian domestic football hierarchy is set to undergo a transformation in the 2023-24 season, with the promotion of I-League teams to the Indian Super League (ISL). As a result, last season's I-League champions, RoundGlass Punjab, are slated to compete in the ISL in 2023-24.

Inter Kashi is currently in the process of completing the necessary paperwork to be eligible for the I-League, the second tier of Indian domestic football, starting in September 2023. They are also actively preparing their first team for competition.

In their statement, Atletico Madrid expressed excitement about their return to Indian football, emphasising their desire to draw upon their 120-year history and experience to help create a national-level club in Uttar Pradesh. The long-term vision includes the establishment of "Atlético de Bharat," their first academy in India, with the aim of nurturing homegrown talents for the Indian National Team.

This partnership is notable not only for its impact on Indian football but also for the involvement of a conglomerate in creating a professional club from scratch. RDB Group successfully secured a spot in the I-League via direct corporate entry, and they've appointed Spanish tactician Carlos Santamarina as the head of the club.

The crest of Inter Kashi, unveiled as part of this announcement, reflects the Shivaling theme with a tripund, paying homage to the culture and architecture of the Kashi Ghats near the Ganga riverbank. It signifies a significant shift in India's football landscape, where clubs from the I-League and the second division now have the opportunity to climb the ladder and compete in the top division.

Carlos Santamarina, the coach entrusted with leading Inter Kashi, expressed his excitement about the partnership with Atletico Madrid.

“We have a big disadvantage because we started from scratch. Once the first step is taken, we will be talking to people from Madrid (for the academy). The technical support of the academy will be provided by Atletico Madrid.”

“The main thing is the academy, which will involve teaching the kids and teaching the coaches. Atletico Madrid don’t think short-term.” said Carlos Santamarina.

Likely, Atletico Madrid's partnership with Inter Kashi marks a significant moment in Indian football, with a focus on creating a national-level club in Uttar Pradesh and nurturing talent at the grassroots level. This collaboration reflects the changing landscape of Indian football, with opportunities for clubs to rise through the ranks and compete at the highest level.