New Delhi, August 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has described Jamshedpur FC’s decision to discontinue its first-team operations as a significant setback for Indian football, urging the Tata Group to reconsider a move that he believes will have long-term consequences for the sport’s development.
The Tata Group-owned club recently announced that it would withdraw from the Indian Super League (ISL) after completing its campaign in the ongoing Durand Cup. With the decision, the group’s direct involvement in Indian football will be limited to operating the Tata Football Academy (TFA) in Jamshedpur.
Reacting to the development through a social media post, Gurpreet said institutions like Jamshedpur FC represent much more than a football club, serving as symbols of stability, commitment and sustained investment in the growth of the game. He noted that while players and staff may eventually find new opportunities, the foundations built over decades through initiatives such as the Tata Football Academy and Jamshedpur FC cannot be easily replaced.
Acknowledging that such decisions are often influenced by business considerations, the Bengaluru FC goalkeeper expressed hope that there would still be room for reflection. He said Indian football needs organisations that remain committed to its long-term future and hoped the club’s exit would not mark the end of its journey.
Jamshedpur FC spent nine seasons in the ISL, winning the League Winners’ Shield during the 2021-22 season under head coach Owen Coyle. The club also reached the ISL playoffs in the 2024-25 campaign under Khalid Jamil.
Earlier, India captain Sunil Chhetri had also voiced disappointment over the decision, describing the closure of Jamshedpur FC’s first-team operations as “a punch to the gut” and praising the Tata Group’s longstanding contribution to Indian football through both the Tata Football Academy and the ISL franchise.
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