Sports of West Bengal - 2 | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

Sports Stadiums of West Bengal

West Bengal boasts several sports stadiums, each with its own unique features. Here's an overview of some prominent ones:

• Eden Garden Stadium
  • Located in Kolkata, it stands as one of the world's largest cricket stadiums.
  • Established in 1864, it holds the distinction of being the oldest cricket stadium globally.
  • With a seating capacity exceeding 100,000, it remains a historic venue.

• Mohun Bagan Stadium
  • Constructed in 1963 in Kolkata, it serves as the official ground for the renowned Mohun Bagan club.
  • Accommodating 22,000 spectators, it was the first Indian stadium to install floodlights in 1977.
  • Renowned for its imported grass from Brazil, it is considered one of the top-notch stadiums.
• Netaji Indoor Stadium
  • Situated near the High Court in Kolkata, this fully air-conditioned venue was established in 1975.
  • Designed for indoor games like table tennis, basketball, and badminton, it was initially intended for the World Table Tennis Championship.
• Geetanjali Sports Stadium
  • The newest addition, built in 2011 in Kosba, Kolkata, it accommodates 4,000 spectators.
  • Developed through a joint effort of KMDA and public-private partnership, it provides facilities for multiple sports.
• Kishore Bharati Krirangan
  • Located in South Kolkata, this multi-purpose stadium on 13 acres includes a swimming pool and martial arts training center.
  • Khel Krirangans in West Bengal villages, managed by village panchayats, emulate this model.
    
• Salt Lake Stadium
  • Situated 10 km from Kolkata city center, it holds the title of the largest stadium in India.
  • With an elliptical shape and a seating capacity of 125,000, it ranks as the second-largest football stadium globally.
• Rabindra Sarobar Stadium
  • Spanning 58,861.44 sq m in Southern Avenue, Kolkata, it offers a serene setting for meetings and seminars.
  • Host to events attended by notable personalities like Yuri Gagarin and Emil Zatopek, it is surrounded by greenery.

Sports Initiatives and Schemes 

The West Bengal Government, through its Sports Department, has introduced various schemes to promote sports in the state.

• Khelashree Scheme
  • Allocates ₹2 lakh for sports development, including events, infrastructure, and cultural activities.
  • Inaugurated with the distribution of footballs to educational institutions.
• Formation of Bangla Yuva Kendra
  In order to create a healthy socio-cultural ambience, Bangla Yuva Kendra has been formed in 2015. The volunteers of this organisation are acting at the Block/ Municipal Level and the Coordinators at the District Level in maintaining coordination with this department for the development of student-youth in sports.
• Opening of Multi-gyms
  This is taking place within the Municipal Corporations and Committees by opening multi-gym facilities and developing playgrounds.  
• State Government Departments in Sports
  Government Departments for sports development in the state are as follows: 
  • Department of Youth Services and Sports, West Bengal
    Focuses on improving sports infrastructure and nurturing talents, emphasizing accessibility at various levels.
  • West Bengal Council of Sports
    Organizes meditation camps and supports senior players for high-performance encouragement.
  • West Bengal Academy of Adventure Sports
    Promotes adventure sports like mountaineering and river rafting, aiming to diversify sports offerings.
  • Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
    Situated in Darjeeling, founded by Tenzing Norgay, it contributes to mountaineering and adventure sports.

New Sports Policy, 2015 of West Bengal 

The 2015 Sports Policy of West Bengal aims to achieve several objectives, including enhancing existing sports infrastructure and establishing cutting-edge facilities. It also strives to provide financial support, cash incentives, awards, and employment opportunities to exceptional athletes. Another goal is to ensure sustained financial backing for State Sport Associations, encouraging their self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on the state. Additionally, the policy seeks to promote private and corporate involvement in sports development, training, and competition, fostering a more widespread sports culture in the state.

Sports Award of West Bengal

In order to recognise the contribution of sportspersons from the state, the sports department will confer four categories of awards every year. These are:  

• Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports
  The Sports Awards in West Bengal are presented annually to recognize the contributions of athletes. The awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports, granted to a maximum of two individuals annually for outstanding international performance. Recipients, such as Saurav Ganguly and Leander Paes in 2013, receive a cash incentive of ₹5 lakh along with a citation.
• Banglar Gourab Award
  The Banglar Gourab Award is bestowed upon veteran sportspersons who have contributed significantly to sports popularization and promotion in the state. Each recipient receives a cash incentive of ₹1 lakh along with a citation.
• Krira Guru Samman
  The Krira Guru Samman is presented to distinguished coaches and trainers dedicated to sports coaching and training. Each awardee receives a cash incentive of ₹1 lakh along with a citation. Notably, Dr. Vece Paes, Leander Paes' father, received this award in 2013.
• Khel Samman
  The Khel Samman is given to sportspersons who have brought acclaim to the state in any sports discipline. Each recipient is awarded ₹50,000 along with a citation.
• Banga Bibhushan Award
  The Banga Bibhushan Award, initiated in 2011, recognizes eminent personalities from various fields. In sports, notable recipients include Sailen Manna in 2011 for football, Leslie Clandius in 2012 for Hockey, and Saurav Ganguly in 2013 for Cricket.