Expressing her love for football, West Bengal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced a grant of Rs 50 crore for
infrastructure development of two century-old clubs - East Bengal and
Mohammedan Sporting. Banerjee, after inaugurating the East Bengal Museum - Raja
Suresh Chandra Memorial Archive at a tent on the Maidan here, also said that
her government would soon set up a sports university in the city.
In the museum there are scrolls of legendary matches,
jerseys and equipment of former players, books and documents documenting
important club events. The CM said that being an ardent fan of the game, he
"juggles" the ball whenever he finds time. The TMC chief also said
that he came up with the slogan 'Khela Hobe', an inspiration from the play.
‘Khela hobe’ (game will be played) was TMC’s slogan for 2021
Assembly polls. "I love the sport (football), I play the sport sometimes.
And that is the reason I had coined the slogan 'Khela Hobe'. I want to tell you
all that I even juggle a football.
"I was beaten up when the CPI(M) was in power. I had
surgery on my hands and feet. There was also a back injury. However, I love
playing," she said. Banerjee assured that her government would support the
dreams of sportspersons in the state.
"We are planning to establish a special university for
sports so that the younger generation who are interested in sports do not have
to go anywhere. I promise you that we will always try to support every dream of
our sportspersons," she added.