Bengal sports fraternity mourns Subhas Chakraborty`s death

Kolkata: The sports fraternity in West Bengal today mourned the death of Subhas Chakraborty, whose biggest contribution to the state was the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the largest stadium in the country. Indian Football Association Vice-President Subrata Dutta told agency "his biggest contribution is the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, which ranks among the top five stadiums in the world, in terms of capacity." He said "It was because of him, Bengal football lovers could see so many international matches and stars." Dutta, who is also the Vice-President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said "for us it`s a great loss ... It feels as if we have lost a member of our family. It`s a great loss for the sports community in Bengal." Former MP from Diamond Harbour, Samik Lahiri, who along with the Sports minister was instrumental in bringing football great Diego Maradona to Kolkata, said "without any support from the Union government, he fought against all odds for the stadium which is our pride." Bengal Olympic Association secretary Kamalesh Chatterjee said that the Indo-Bangla Games and State Games were his brainchild. The Sports Authority of India (Eastern Centre) Regional Director S Harmilapi Chakraborty said the minister had approved a Special Training Centre for which a memorandum of understanding was to be signed in the next few days. "With his demise, the the process will take more time." Bengal Hockey Association secretary and former Olympian Gurbux Singh, who ha$ visited Chakraborty in the hospital in the morning, said, "He was a very good human being and a sports minister who loved sports and respected sportpersons." Cricket Association of Bengal Joint Secretary Biswarup Dey said Chakraborty was a sports enthusiast and his loss was irreparable. Bureau Report