Mamata announces Rs 1.5 crore incentive for Bagan

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today announced Rs 1.5 crore cash incentive for I-League champions Mohun Bagan.
Felicitating the triumphant Mohun Bagan at the club's 125th year celebration, Mamata also announced RS 50 lakh each for both East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting and 10 lakh each for the eight Premier Division clubs of the state football body IFA.
Mohun Bagan will get Rs one crore more than their two city rivals East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting for the renovation of floodlights, the CM said to a rapturous applause from 5,000-odd supporters at a grand ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.

"At present I feel Mohun Bagan's immediate requirement is to renovate the floodlights for which I'm announcing Rs one crore," Mamata said.
"Besides, there will be Rs 50 lakh cash award for the Big Three city clubs -- Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. But at the moment Mohun Bagan will get one crore more for their fabulous show last season. There will be similar such announcements for East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting if they do well in the next season," she said.
In the wake of the financial crisis in the state, city I-League sides had faced a lot of hardships but Mohun Bagan overcame it in style as they won the I-League by dethroning Bengaluru FC on May 31.

Crediting the success to the team as well as the fans in equal measure, Mamata said: "We all know the difficulties faced by the Kolkata clubs but it's the fans who supported the team braving rain, summer and winter that had contributed to the team's success. May the players and fans continue the legacy of Mohun Bagan in the years to come."

The state government will further felicitate the team at a function in December, she said.
"Every year we celebrate sports and youth day on January 10 and 12 respectively but this time we will advance it to December this year to felicitate the Mohun Bagan team," Mamata said.

She further said the momentous occasion of the 125th year for Mohun Bagan should continue for at least a year.