East Bengal’s centenary celebrations kicked-off with a torch rally on Sunday.

The rally began from Kumartuli Park and concluded at the club’s Maidan tent.

Sukumar Samajpati, Biswajit Bhattacharya, Alvito D’Cunha, club officials and thousands of fans took part in the rally, where former captain Bhaichung Bhutia was the cynosure.

Bhaichung, who had won East Bengal many a matches, Derbies against arch-rivals Mohun Bagan and a lot of trophies, sounded emotional. “I am honoured that club has invited me for the centenary celebrations.

“When I was just 17, I had come to play for this club. So, it goes without saying that I have a special relation with East Bengal,” Bhaichung said.

“Even today the cheers and the ovation made it feel as if I have scored in a crucial game for East Bengal. It again gave me goosebumps.”

East Bengal’s 2003 Asean Cup-winning coach Subhas Bhowmick was at the tent when the torch arrived. Bhowmick wants Alejandro Menendez Garcia’s men to win this season’s I-league and make the centenary celebrations memorable.

“It’s the right time to win the I-League and make it an unforgettable experience,” Bhowmick said. “My only regret is that we couldn’t win the I-League. It still hurts.”

Current team players, though, weren’t part of Sunday’s event.

Asked about their absence, senior club official Debabrata Sarkar said: “Our head coach decided to give the players some rest. But they will definitely be there for on August 1 - the club's foundation day.”