Bhubaneswar: The 25-member squad of the Odisha Football Club arrived in Bhubaneswar today for preparations ahead of its debut in the sixth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) scheduled to commence from October 20.
The squad which has two players hailing from Odisha- midfielder Shubham Sarangi and goalkeeper Ankit Bhyuan landed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here today morning where they were given a rousing welcome by Odisha FC fan club, The Juggernauts. The team will practice for the upcoming league at their home ground Kalinga Stadium and play its first match on November 24
"It is a proud moment to represent our own state and we hope to give our best. I cannot express my feelings and cannot wait to get started. I urge people to come to the stadium and support us in huge numbers," Shubham said upon his arrival at the Bhubaneswar airport.
Echoing similar sentiments, midfielder Ankit said, "Odisha FC is the state's first football team which is going to play in the Indian Super League, India's top football league, so we are confident of giving the best shot."
It may be noted that ISL club Delhi Dynamos FC was rebranded as Odisha FC after an agreement was signed between the sports and youth services department and the Delhi Dynamos management in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on August 31.