Kolkata: Calls for strengthening Bengal’s sporting ecosystem gained fresh momentum after newly appointed Minister of State and former India cricketer Ashok Dinda spoke about the need for better sports infrastructure and greater involvement of former athletes in sports administration.
Read Bengali: বাংলায় ২০০ কোটির ক্রীড়া প্রকল্পের আশ্বাস, বড় ঘোষণা অশোক দিন্দার
Dinda’s remarks come shortly after Union Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik stressed the importance of keeping sports free from political influence.
Push for a Major Sports Infrastructure Project
Dinda revealed that a few years ago, Sports Authority of India (SAI) had shown interest in establishing a modern sports centre in West Bengal.
According to him, the proposed project required around 25 acres of land. However, the plan could not move forward due to the unavailability of suitable land.
Dinda said he learned about the issue during discussions with former Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who reportedly identified land availability as the primary obstacle to the project’s implementation.
Issue Raised in the Assembly
After being elected as the BJP MLA from Moyna in the 2021 Assembly elections, Dinda said he investigated the matter further and later raised it in the state Assembly.
According to the former pacer, questions were raised regarding the claims, and he was asked to submit supporting documents. He later presented documents from 2022 related to the project.
However, the state government reportedly maintained that the documents did not specifically mention a ₹200-crore budget allocation for the proposed facility.
Looking Ahead Instead of Dwelling on Controversy
Despite the disagreements, Dinda said he prefers to focus on future development rather than past disputes.
He stressed that both the Centre and the state government must work together to improve sports infrastructure in Bengal. He also expressed hope that the long-discussed SAI project would eventually become a reality.
Potential locations for the project, according to Dinda, could include Kolkata, Burdwan or Purba Medinipur.
Proposal Already Submitted
Dinda stated that a proposal regarding the project has already been placed before the state sports minister. He believes that modern infrastructure, advanced training facilities and efficient administration can significantly improve Bengal’s sporting standards.
Athletes Should Lead Sports Administration
The former India fast bowler also advocated for greater participation of former athletes in sports governance and administration.
According to Dinda, individuals who have spent years competing at the highest level possess valuable practical experience that can help shape effective sports policies and development programmes.
He argued that bringing more sportspersons into administrative roles would accelerate the growth of sports in the state and ensure that decisions are made with a deeper understanding of athletes’ needs.
As discussions continue around the proposed sports project, Dinda’s comments have reignited debate over infrastructure development and the future direction of sports administration in West Bengal.
