World Cancer Day is observed worldwide on 4th February every year in order to raise awareness about cancer and to encourage its diagnosis, prevention and treatment. It’s a day to celebrate the cancer heroes around us make a pledge to reduce stigma related to this deadly disease.
On the occasion of this year’s World Cancer Day, Indian football giant , Kolkata’s very own Mohammedan Sporting Club joined hands with Global Cancer Trust to support their cancer awareness campaign.
Endowed with an illustrious 131-year legacy, Mohammedan SC is one of the oldest football clubs in Asia. It was MSC who succeeded in ending British dominance in Indian football in the pre-independence era. Clad in its iconic black-and-white colours, MSC became the first Indian club to win the prestigious Calcutta Football League first division title, a feat it achieved in 1934. MSC asserted such unparalleled dominance in that era that it won as many as 8 CFL titles between 1934 and 1948. Today, the club boasts of a huge trophy cabinet with some of its prized possessions being the CFL title (12 times), the Federation Cup (2 times), the Durand Cup (2 times), the IFA Shield (6 times) and the Rovers Cup (6 times).
In October 2020,we, Bunkerhill Private Ltd, came on board as MSC’s investor and has been working tirelessly ever since to help the club revive its glory days. Under Russian head coach Andrey Chernyshov, MSC is currently competing in I-League 2021-22 and aims to enter the Indian Super League in a year or two.
Founded in 2010, Global Cancer Trust is a city-based NGO whose sole aim is to eradicate cancer and alleviate the sufferings of the afflicted. Backed by ample experience of hosting many grand events on cancer awareness and prevention, Global Cancer Trust is widely acknowledged for honouring the cancer conquerors.
Although we’ve seen it before in cricket (ex – Rajasthan Royals), this is the first instance of an Indian football club’s participation in a cancer awareness campaign.
Speaking about the association, Bunkerhill’s director Mr. Dipak Kumar Singh said, “This is a massive occasion for all the Mohammedan SC fans. We’re embarking on this association with Global Cancer Trust, who have been in this cancer prevention campaign for the last 11 years. In the process, we’ve become the first Indian football club to participate in such a campaign. I’m sure this will inspire millions of fans across the globe as Mohammedan SC is a historic institution.”
Mohammedan Sporting Club’s General Secretary Danish Iqbal, too, heaped praise on the wonderful initiative. “This is a special moment for our club. We’re delighted to join hands with Global Cancer Trust and take inspiration from the cancer warriors around us. Mohammedan Sporting Club has always been a torchbearer of Indian football and this is a prime example of that,” he said.
Global Cancer Trust’s Founder and Chairman Dr Vikash K. Agarwal also shared his thoughts on this collaboration. “We want to thank Bunkerhill and Mohammedan SC and for responding to this noble cause. It’s a landmark moment in the history of India’s cancer awareness movement. On the occasion of World Cancer Day, when we will be completing our 11 years, we will be moving to the next teenage group. Let’s make it our mission to add more smiles to the lives of people. Yes, we can cure cancer,” Dr Agarwal said.
(By Pratyusha Mukherjee)
