Dodsal coy on Mikael Silvestre

Ever since they were formed in May this year, Dodsal FC have wasted little time in making clear that they mean business. By reaching the Durand Cup final and winning the Nadkarni Cup on Thursday, the club — owned by Dubai-based NRI Rajen Kilachand — already has a couple of impressive performances to boast off. But it is their off-the-field activities that has attracted interest from world over.

Dodsal have been linked to former France and Manchester United star Mikael Silvestre, who recently told German and French media that he is close to signing for the Mumbai-based club. However, the club’s CEO Mohammad Omar played down the reports. “I have spoken to him. But the deal hasn’t been signed yet,” Omar said.

Silvestre had said he was expecting to sign for Dodsal by the end of this month and join the team in January. Omar though said there is no truth to those reports. “As I said, I spoke with him over the phone. We are a new club and at present don’t have the budget to buy five-star players,” Omar said.

At a time when the I-League is at the crossroads and two of the biggest teams – Mahindra United and JCT – shutting their shops, Dodsal’s entry in Indian football comes as a big boost. More so for the sport in Mumbai, as the city did not have a major player at national level after Mahindra. “The family of the owner (Kilachand) is from Mumbai, so it was the obvious choice. But Mumbai needs a big club, doesn’t it?” the club’s COO Arvind Kumar said.

Omar, a former UAE captain and member of the Al Ain side that won the Asian Champions League in 2002-03, added: “We are here because India has a great history as far as Asian football is concerned. But it has not lived up to the potential. Our immediate aim is to play in the I-League. We will be competing in the second division next year and our target is promotion. Of course, our long-term target is to make Dodsal one of the best in Asia.”