Mamata Banerjee declares financial aid for state sports committees on Sports Day

State manufactured ‘Joyee’ ball inaugurated by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inaugurates state manufactured ‘Joyee’ ball | Image: XtraTime

Kolkata: The different sports committees of the state under the aegis of Bengal Olympic Association got a huge boost on Monday after the State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakhs each.

The State Sports Department also decided to support 13 clubs, each of which will get Rs 50 lakh for development of sports.

“The clubs and bodies that come under Olympic bracket, who produce national and international talent, will be given Rs 5 lakhs each. I will tell Aroop Biswas (West Bengal Youth Affairs and Sports Minister) to allocate the funds,” said the chief minister on the sidelines of a felicitation programme of eminent sports personalities here.

State manufactured football named ‘Joyee’ was also inaugurated at the function. The football is being manufactured by the Refugee Handicrafts department of the MSME &T under the supervision of former footballers Bidesh Bose and Manas Bhattacharya. The footballs are being produced at various clubs in Chandernagore, Tarakeshwar and Bhimpur. The football has four different varieties – Dribble, Challenger, Striker and Trainer.

The Trinamool Congress supremo, who has been a staunch critic of the demonetisation drive, said that it has taken a toll on sports sponsorships.

“It is difficult for them (sports bodies) to run. It is because they organise sporting activities. They just need that push from us. Sponsorships have ebbed and there is the dent due to black money. How will players and organisations run without sponsorship.”

The chief minister also informed that her government has increased its sports budget and have always encouraged the development of sports infrastructure. According to the chief minister, “We have built 16 new stadiums, refurbished 46 and built 23 youth hostels.”

She also said that she will compose a theme song for the sports department, and emphasised that there is need for one since it will foster identity and as sense of pride.

Nearly 12,000 clubs have so far got these grants that range from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.

Special awards were given to archer Atanu Das, who impressed with his fifth place finish in the qualification round in Rio Olympics, sprinter Debashree Mazumdar,  and paddlers Soumyajit Ghosh, and Mouma Das.

Dipa Karmakar, who finished fourth in gymnastics at Rio and missed a bronze medal by the skin of her teeth, was acknowleged for her feat separately.

“I am honoured to recieve this award. Despite not being from the state, the affection and respect I have got from West Bengal is overwhelming,” gymnast Dipa Karmakar, whose coach Bisheswar Nandi was invited to set up an academy by the chief minister, said.

Banerjee even offered to help Karmakar, who is a resident of Tripura, if she faced any difficulty. “I have told Dipa that we will help her in case of any difficulty,” she added.

Former Davis Cup captain Naresh Kumar and soccer great Badru Banerjee was given lifetime achievement awards. Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen was among the few who received best coach award.