West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday promised financial doles to the tune of Rs 15 crore to 13 football clubs, including the big three East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today promised financial doles to the tune of Rs 15 crore to 13 football clubs, including the big three East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting.
"13 Kolkata clubs which play in the top football leagues will get Rs 50 lakh each for two years," Banerjee announced at the 97th foundation day celebrations of East Bengal club here amid cheers from thousands of club members and players of present and yesteryears.
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"East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting and 10 other clubs will get Rs 50 lakh each in 2016 and 2017," she said adding the government would do its bit to save these cash-strapped clubs and would also talk to private parties for promoting these institutions.
"Charity begins at home. The government will provide this sum despite its limited resources owing to resource crunch," she said.
In addition, East Bengal would get Rs two crore to complete renovation work of its stadium, the chief minister announced.
"Football is the best game, football is in our blood. Why can't we have a Maradona, Ronaldinho or Messi from Bengal?" she said while stressing on forming sports schools and academies to bring up and hone new talents.
"Forget what has not been, think of what can be in the future," Banerjee said while exhorting the state sports department and football clubs to make use of retired footballers and different other professionals for helping budding talents.
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