Football is the winner as Behala club emerges victorious in city’s first tournament for para Durga Puja organisers
Times of India | 25 March 2025
12 Kolkata: Members of 16 city clubs, known for their grandeur in Durga Puja celebrations, displayed their dribbling skills at the Behala Cup 2025, a two-day knockout football tournament organised over the weekend by Behala Club at Behala Harisabha Maidan. Behala Nutan Dal emerged as the champion while Pally Unnayan Samiti of Paschim Putiary lifted the runners-up trophy on Sunday night. The tournament, which was live-streamed on social media, was supported by The Times of India.
The participating clubs were 41 Pally Club, 66 Palli Club, Ahiritola Jubak Brinda, Bakulbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab, Behala 29 Pally, Behala Nutan Dal, Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club, Dum Dum Park Sarbajanin, Hatibagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee, Kestopur Prafulla Kanan (Paschim) Adhibashibrinda, Netaji Jatiya Sebadal, Pally Unnayan Samity of Paschim Putiary, Sabarnapara, Barisha Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, Santoshpur Lakepally, Tarun Matri Sevak Samity and Ballygunge Cultural Association.
Eight teams made it to the quarter-final on Saturday. The tournament created more enthusiasm the next day when two semi-final matches were played between Ahiritola Jubak Brinda and Pally Unnayan Samity, as well as between Behala Nutan Dal and Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club.
In the semi-final, Pally Unnayan Samity's entry into the final was decided by the toss of a coin after the regulation time and the tie-breaker failed to break the deadlock. Behala Nutan Dal put their best foot forward throughout the tournament as they battled to the final, beating their opponents 2-0. In the final, they trounced Pally Unnayan Samity 3-0 and clinched the trophy.
Behala Nutan Dal captain Ranjit Sardar, with a total of three goals, was the highest scorer and the man of the tournament. He said: "This tournament was special for me. In both the semi-final and the final, our opponents were tough." Club secretary Dudhkumar Mondal added: "Till last year, clubs like ours were rivals in organising theme puja. This year, we got another thing to vie for, which is football." Aniruddha Roy, cultural secretary of Pally Unnayan Samity of Paschim Putiary, said: "Our club participates in various tournaments, but the Behala Cup was different. It is a prelude to our preparations for the puja fight."
The best goalkeeper trophy went to Subhojit Das of the champion team. He said: "I hope the organisers will continue with the tournament in coming years, and it will give many aspiring footballers a launching turf to gain confidence and play."
Subhankar Jana, captain of the runners-up team, said: "It was a tough fight with the rivals, and the champions really put up a spirited fight till the end. We hope to come back stronger next year."
Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club bagged the trophy for fair play. Subrata Haldar, general secretary of the club, said: "Our main identity is our puja celebration, but we have same enthusiasm for football."
The brain behind the tournament was Sayantan Bhattacharya, assistant secretary of Behala Club. "We prepared for the tournament for a month. We are planning to make it bigger next year," he said.
Kolkata Dakshin MP Mala Roy, local councillor Sanchita Mitra and Behala East MLA Ratna Chatterjee encouraged the players with their presence. Roop Mondal, a local, said, "Every year, I visit the pujas of many of these participating clubs. So, I am excited to witness football matches being played between them."