West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Wednesday that she loves football and that two-century-old clubs, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, will each receive Rs 50 lakh for infrastructure improvements.
Banerjee also announced that her government would soon establish a sports university in the city after opening the East Bengal museum, the Raja Suresh Chandra Memorial Archive, at its Maidan tent.
Reels of historic games, former players' jerseys and equipment, publications, and records that detail significant club events are all on display in the museum.
The CM stated that as an ardent fan of the game, she “juggles” the ball as and when she finds time.
The TMC leader also said that she coined the ‘Khela Hobe’ slogan taking inspiration from this sport.
‘Khela hobe’ (the game will be played) was TMC’s slogan for the 2021 Assembly polls.
"I love the sport (football), I play the sport sometimes. And that is the reason I 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 have had surgeries on both hands and feet. There is a back injury, too. Nevertheless, I love to play the game," she said.
Banerjee gave assurance that her government would support the dreams of the state's sportspersons.
"We plan to start a dedicated university for sports so that the younger generations, who are interested in sports, do not have to go anywhere else. I promise you that we will always try to support every dream of our sportspersons," she added.