New Delhi, August 3: Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu expressed deep sadness over the decision to cease operations at Jamshdepur FC. He stated that this is a significant loss for Indian football and urged the Tata Group to reconsider their decision.
Recently, the Tata Group announced that they would withdraw from the Indian Super League (ISL) after the conclusion of their current Durand Cup campaign. With this decision, the Tata Group’s involvement in Indian football will now be limited to managing the Tata Football Academy located in Jamshdepur.
In a post on his Instagram account, Gurpreet wrote, “Some clubs are more than just football. They symbolize stability, trust, and a long-term commitment to the development of the sport. The decision to halt operations at Jamshdepur FC is a significant loss, not just for the club, but for all of Indian football.”
During their nine seasons in the ISL, Jamshdepur FC won the League Winners Shield once, under head coach Owen Coyle in the 2021/22 season. Apart from that remarkable title win, the club reached the ISL playoffs only once more, achieving this milestone under Khalid Jamil in the 2024/25 season.
Gurpreet, who plays for Bengaluru FC in the ISL, added, “Through TFA and Jamshdepur FC, the Tata Group has built a legacy of trust, investment, and development that cannot be easily replaced. While players and staff may move on, it takes decades to build such a foundation. Decisions like these are never easy and are often made due to business realities, but I hope there is still room for reconsideration. Indian football needs institutions that maintain faith in its future. I hope this is not the final chapter.”
Earlier, Indian football star Sunil Chhetri described the decision to withdraw from the ISL ahead of the 2026/27 season as a “deep blow.” He stated, “To remain a stakeholder in Indian football, there is much to be done. Conditions have been challenging for some time, but when everything around seems to be falling apart, you rely on family to support each other. Often, you turn to the elders for trust. The Tata Group has been one of our strong pillars through TFA and then Jamshdepur FC. Knowing that Jamshdepur has ceased operations is a deep shock.”
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