Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requested the Cricket Association of Bengal to install a bust of the late Jagmohan Dalmiya in the CAB on Tuesday.
The chief minister appreciated the untiring work done by the late cricket administrator for the development of cricket not only in Bengal but in the country and opined that a bust should be put up as an acknowledgement of the former ICC president’s deeds.
She also compared Dalmiya to the legendary Mohun Bagan footballer Gostho Pal, whose statue has been erected in Maidan.
“I think there should a bust of Jagmohan Dalmiya in CAB. The way we cannot forget Gostho Pal in football, we cannot forget Dalmiya in cricket,” said Mamata in her address at the CAB Annual Awards on Tuesday.
She further added, “The achievement and contribution of Jagmohan Dalmiya cannot be forgotten. Even as the President of ICC (International Cricket Council), the way he worked for the betterment of cricket, is a matter of pride for Bengal.”
The CAB already has a similar proposal of putting up a bust of Dalmiya near the BC Roy club house at the entrance of the Eden Gardens but the it is still pending with the Ministry of Defense, who are the owners of the land.
“We are trying for it but it’s pending with the Army for about two years now. We need their permission to do anything here,” said CAB President and former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly.
Kolkata is a city that loves football and quite fittingly, the final of the marquee FIFA tournament-the U-17 World Cup would be held in the city, that boasts of a rich football heritage. The all-important match would be held at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium on the 28th of October later this year.
Said Mamata at the event, “The U17 World Cup final will be in Kolkata and it’s a matter of great pride.”
She also said that Kolkata football would benefit a lot from visits of legends like Diego Maradona.
“There will be seven-eight matches. Kolkata will get to see future stars of the world. Also stars of yesteryear like Maradona will grace the city. This is a huge gain for Kolkata. Without sport, life is incomplete,” she said.