FSDL regulations don’t allow corporate prefixes or suffixes
RoundGlass Punjab FC, the 2022-23 I-League champions, have announced that they will be rebranding their name to Punjab FC. The change will take effect ahead of the club’s debut season in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in 2023-24.
The decision to rebrand was made by the club’s owners, RoundGlass Sports, to “simplify the club’s identity and make it more accessible to fans around the world.” The new name, Punjab FC, is a more direct reflection of the club’s home state and its rich footballing history. The rebranding of Roundglass Punjab comes as a result of an FSDL regulation that doesn’t allow corporate prefixes or suffixes in the identity’s name. However, the new crest is a sign of the club’s ambition as they prepare for their first season in the ISL. The club is looking to build on its success in the I-League and become a major force in Indian football. The rebranding of Roundglass Punjab FC is a positive development for Indian football.
The club was formed in 2020 when Ranjit Bajaj, the owner of Minerva Punjab FC sold his majority stake to the co-owners RoundGlass Foundation. They will be debuting in India’s premier division under the tutorship of Greek manager Staikos Vergetis. They already have a balanced squad with well-known names like Luka Majcen, Juan Mera, Kiran Kumar Limbu, Deepak Devrani, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, and Pranjal Bhumij. The Punjabi club has also secured the signature of Leon Augustine and is said to be in contact with ISL stars like Arshdeep Singh and Edu Bedia.
It will be exciting to see what Punjab FC have in their arsenal for their first season and what can they achieve in the ISL. They have an opportunity to show that the promoted I-League clubs can also compete with the ISL clubs.
