Kolkata, July 6 (IBNS): West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra on Thursday said that there is a need to upgrade the football grounds for the enrichment of the game.
Mitra raised the issue at the felicitation of Tower Janbazar Football Club, which is the winner of Trades Cup 2012.
The prize distribution ceremony was held at Calcutta Sports Journalist Club where other dignitaries like Subrata Dutta, Utpal Ganguly, Ramendu Chattopadhyay, Krishnendu Ray and Manash Bhattacharya were present.
Mitra said: “I am extremely pleased for the extraordinary performance of the team. This is obviously expected that if they continue their hard work they will definitely emerge as champions in future as well.”
“But there are some difficulties that the players are facing while playing on the grounds like there are lack of adequate water facilities and dressing rooms.”
“We would like the sports council to write a letter to us emphasizing their problems and needs so that we can take steps accordingly.”
Raising the same issue, former national player Manash Bhattacharya stated: “We want the football grounds to be improved. During rainy season, it becomes tough to play on such grounds. It’s our demand to the sports minister to look into the matter.”
Tower Janbazar Club this year, won the Trades Cup by defeating Howrah Union only by 1-0 score.
Anjan Dey was the man behind the success of the team, whose lone initiative of scoring a single goal during the match brought the cup to the team.
This was their second win after they won the same in 2010 tournament.
Praising the winning team, Subrata Dutta, Vice President of AIFF (All India Football Federation ) and IFA (Indian Football Association) added: “The team must not stop here it should move ahead. We want them to play in the premier division football league in the next year instead of the first division in which they are playing right now.”
Ramendu Chattopadhyay, CMD of Tower Group said: “Of course, we need foreign players because there is always a room for improvement. But when it is about competition, we would like the sons of soil to play the game. We must give priority to the players of Bengal. ”
