4 days ago
Suvendu Accuses Previous TMC Government Over Bengal Sports Neglect
Suvendu Adhikari said West Bengal has not supported sports well enough in the past.
He compared the state with Odisha, Jharkhand and Haryana.
He said young athletes need better facilities, encouragement and financial help.
Some athletes received appointment letters and cheques at the programme.
Adhikari said their files had allegedly been delayed for years under the earlier government.
His government has set aside Rs 400 crore for sports.
It also plans to build indoor stadiums in every Assembly constituency.
He said politicians should not control sports organisations.
He also criticised the Lionel Messi event and said football fans deserved better treatment.
Suvendu Adhikari accused the previous TMC government of neglecting West Bengal’s sports infrastructure.
He said appointment files for young sportspersons allegedly remained pending in the Chief Minister’s Office for years.
The government has earmarked Rs 400 crore for sports and plans indoor stadiums in all 294 Assembly constituencies.
Adhikari urged sports bodies to operate independently of politicians and called for changes to the system.
He described last year’s Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium as a scandal and promised an international-style football experience.
- Who
- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, young sportspersons, Sports Minister Indranil Khan and the previous TMC government.
- What
- Adhikari accused the previous government of neglecting sports infrastructure and announced financial support, indoor stadium plans and proposed reforms.
- Where
- At a programme in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- When
- The remarks were made on August 29 during National Sports Day; state sports programmes were scheduled from August 28 to 30.
- Why
- Adhikari said better infrastructure, support and administration were needed to develop athletes and improve the state’s performance at international competitions.
Adhikari and BJP Government Position
Previous TMC Government Position
Sports infrastructure and support
Adhikari and BJP Government Position
Adhikari said the previous TMC government did little to improve sports infrastructure and failed to provide adequate support, inspiration and initiative for athletes.
Previous TMC Government Position
The article reports the accusation but does not include a response from the previous TMC government.
Pending athlete assistance
Adhikari and BJP Government Position
Adhikari alleged that files for sportspersons receiving appointment letters and cheques had remained pending in the Chief Minister’s Office for years.
Previous TMC Government Position
The previous government’s position on the alleged delays is not provided.
Political control of sports bodies
Adhikari and BJP Government Position
Adhikari said MPs and MLAs should not lead or control sports organisations and called for the system to change.
Previous TMC Government Position
The article does not provide a response from politicians or sports organisations defending the previous arrangement.
Key facts
- Sports budget
- The government has earmarked Rs 400 crore for sports and said it would spend more.
- Indoor stadium plan
- Indoor stadiums are planned in all 294 Assembly constituencies.
- Proposed stadium names
- Each planned indoor stadium would be named after Sri Aurobindo.
- Athlete support
- Appointment letters, cheques and incentives were announced for eligible sportspersons.
- Political involvement
- Adhikari said sports organisations and federations should not be controlled by politicians.
- Messi event criticism
- He called the December 13 Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium a “big scandal” and said around 33,000 young fans missed the opportunity to attend despite paying high ticket prices.
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister speaking at a National Sports Day programme
“When we see neighbouring Odisha, Jharkhand and Haryana making the country proud with the feats of their athletes and other delegations at international meets, we must also recognise the immense possibilities of our sportspersons and introspect on how to nurture them.”
theprint.in
“No sports organisation and federation should be influenced by and helmed by politicians. MPs and MLAs should not run the show. Why should sports organisations have politicians at the top?”
theprint.in
Sources
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