Atletico de Kolkata head coach Antonio Habas has confirmed the Mohun Bagan club ground in the Kolkata maidan will be used as the training ground for the Indian Super League team prior to the start of the second season of the tournament.
The ISL champions were in a quandary after the unavailability of the Salt Lake Stadium for training purposes prior to the start of the tournament, owing to some damage that occured to the relaid natural grass following the end of the Calcutta Football League (CFL) this month.
Two options -- the Barasat Stadium at the outskirts of the city of Kolkata and the Mohun Bagan ground -- remained as the only possible practice options, and it is believed that the latter was chosen owing to the fact that the stadium in Barasat sports an artificial turf.
"We will use the Mohun Bagan ground for now and 8th October onwards we will be based in the Salt Lake Stadium," Spanish coach Habas said.
Atletico de Kolkata play their first home game of the ISL season 2 on 13 October, when they play Kerala Blasters in a rematch of last season's final. While Brazil legend Pele will attend the match, former Liverpool star Fernando Torres is also reportedly going to accompany the football legend.
Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev is also believed to be attending one of the home games of the franchisee this season.
The Kolkata side returned on Thursday following the end of their preseason tour of Spain this summer, and Habas is now looking forward to the best of preparations at home prior to the three-month lucrative tournament.
To become a "protagonist team" is what the Spanish coach is aiming for, as he looks keen to reach his objective of reaching the playoffs of the tournament this year.
"Let us not compare seasons; we want to take it game by game and first objective is to reach the playoffs", the Spaniard said. "We want to be a protagonist team and lead the way in the league."
Meanwhile, ATK marquee player and Portugal goal-poacher Helder Postiga is also looking forward to playing his part in the ISL and helping his team retain the trophy.
"It is an honour to play for Atletico. I hope I can share my experiences with the Indian players," Postiga, 33, said.
"Luis Garcia did an amazing job last season and it will be difficult to emulate that, but I am confident that we can be champions again. I am also impressed with the local talent and look forward to partnering Iain Hume in the final third," the former Porto and Tottenham Hotspur striker added.
