Read Bengali: বেঙ্গল অলিম্পিক নির্বাচনে চাপের অভিযোগ, বিস্ফোরক মমতার ভাই!

Speaking on the issue, Swapan Banerjee highlighted his long association with the organisation and said he had served in various key positions over the years.

“I have one thing to say. I was the Joint Secretary of the Bengal Olympic Association since 2012. In 2016, I became the Secretary of the Bengal Olympic Association. In 2020, I was elected President of the Bengal Olympic Association,” he said.

Allegations Against Aroop Biswas

Referring to the 2024 election, Banerjee alleged that former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas influenced the voting process.

According to him, “In the 2024 election, Aroop Biswas defeated me. He called the presidents and secretaries and told them that those who voted for Babun Banerjee would not receive any benefits.”

Banerjee claimed that this warning created fear among many office-bearers associated with the Bengal Olympic Association.

“Because of this, the secretaries and presidents became afraid. Despite that, I still received 24 votes in the 2024 election,” he added.

Questions Raised Over Election Process

The remarks have sparked fresh discussion within West Bengal’s sporting community regarding the functioning of sports bodies and election procedures.

Banerjee’s allegations suggest that external influence may have affected the voting environment, although he did not provide specific evidence to support his claims during the statement.

No Response Yet

As of now, neither Aroop Biswas nor the Bengal Olympic Association has issued an official response to the allegations.

The controversy comes at a time when transparency and governance in sports administration continue to remain key issues across various sporting bodies in India.

Any further response from the concerned parties is likely to attract significant attention from both the sports fraternity and political observers in West Bengal.

হকি স্টেডিয়াম পরিদর্শনে এসে কলকাতা লিগ নিয়ে ‘বিরাট’ সুখবর দিলেন ক্রীড়ামন্ত্রী

Built under the initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the stadium features international-standard synthetic turf. It also includes an Australian-style modern Arden gallery, dedicated warm-up zone, two fully equipped dressing rooms, VIP and VVIP boxes, VIP lounge, umpire and video umpire rooms, and several other modern facilities. Additionally, it houses a doping control and medical room, mixed zone, broadcast and video analysis center, venue operations center, and press corner. The stadium was constructed at a cost of around ₹20,000 crore, making it one of the most advanced sports arenas in the state.

After touring the stadium, Aroop Biswas said, “Under the Chief Minister’s initiative, two hockey grounds have been built in our state — one in Dumurjala and another within the Salt Lake Stadium complex. We also plan to set up a hockey academy in the future. This is one of the best stadiums in the country. I hope that international matches of the Indian team will be held here soon.”

However, the minister did not shy away from speaking about Bengal’s sports-related discrimination. In a pointed remark, he said, “Matches are not allotted to Bengal due to political reasons. But the more Bengal is deprived, the stronger we will rise.”

The Beton Cup is set to begin at this very venue on Saturday. This year, hockey tournaments will not use the East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, or Mohammedan grounds. The minister said, “This year, we are organizing hockey tournaments without using the three major clubs’ grounds. Our discussions are ongoing, and our goal is to bring Calcutta football back to the city’s own fields.”

Aroop Biswas further added, “From the next season, the Calcutta Football League matches will be played in Kolkata grounds itself. The spirit of the game will return from the districts to the heart of the city.”

With the inauguration of this new hockey stadium, a new chapter has been added to West Bengal’s sports landscape. Through the efforts of the Chief Minister and the Sports Department, this stadium not only represents international sporting infrastructure but also stands as a symbol of Bengal’s sporting renaissance.