Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has backed the state government’s decision to temporarily take over Eden Gardens. The venue will host a special Mahalaya event, forcing the Bengal team to shift its opening Ranji Trophy match against Delhi to another venue.
Eden Gardens will remain under the state government’s control from September 25 to October 15 to facilitate preparations for the October 10 programme. The Special Protection Group (SPG) will also take charge of security at the venue ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit.
Sourav Ganguly Backs State Government’s Eden Gardens Takeover
Sourav Ganguly addressed the venue handover while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the CAB annual awards ceremony on Sunday. He stated that the association will follow the state government’s instructions regarding the stadium.
“Whatever the state government and the honourable chief minister direct us to do, we will follow it. The Prime Minister is also supposed to attend,” Ganguly said.
The Information and Cultural Affairs Department had directed the Sports Department to book Eden Gardens for the October 10 event. Although the CAB was not copied on the email, an event management firm, Go Banana, later approached senior association officials and informed them about the programme.
Bengal Move Ranji Trophy Opener Against Delhi to Kalyani
The CAB has shifted Bengal’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Delhi from Eden Gardens to Kalyani. The game is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 11, and the state association has informed the BCCI about the venue change.
CAB treasurer Sanjay Das confirmed that Kalyani has hosted Ranji Trophy matches on several occasions and remains a suitable alternative. He also revealed that senior Sports Department officials will meet the association to explain the final arrangements for the Mahalaya event.
“Ranji Trophy matches have been held in Kalyani on several occasions earlier. There is the Jadavpur University ground as well. As far as the October 10 event is concerned, senior officials of the Sports Department will meet us in the next few days and inform us about the details of the programme,” Das told RevSportz.
Das added that the association is still waiting for more details about the event but will follow the required security protocols because of the Prime Minister’s expected presence.
“I still don’t know who will come and what will happen. But as far as I know, if there is any event where the Prime Minister is attending, for security reasons we have to abide by the protocol. Once the Sports Department informs us, we will get a clearer picture,” he said.
Eden Gardens Set for Grand Mahalaya Celebrations
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that Eden Gardens will host a special four-hour programme on the morning of Mahalaya. The event will mark the beginning of the Durga Puja festivities and will combine cultural performances with large-scale visual displays.
The programme will feature live performances, fireworks, elaborate lighting and visual effects. A drone show involving thousands of drones is also planned over the stadium, while Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal is set to perform live.
The West Bengal Tourism Department is organising the event in collaboration with the Information and Cultural Affairs Department. According to a Sportstar report, organizers also hope the mass dhak performance could earn a place in the Guinness World Records.
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