Kolkata: From Nandan to Baguiati and from district headquarters to subdivision towns, Bengal is gearing up for a statewide football carnival as the state govt prepares to screen the Fifa World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on giant screens across Kolkata and every district on Sunday night.The govt has also allocated Rs 1 lakh to each district to organise the live screenings and related logistics.Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari will join football fans at the screening at the Nandan-Rabindra Sadan cultural complex, where elaborate arrangements are being made for one of the city’s flagship events.Sports minister Indranil Khan inspected the venue on Saturday and said two separate screenings would be held at Nandan — one inside the auditorium and another on a giant outdoor screen within the Nandan-Rabindra Sadan premises. Similar screenings are being organised at several other locations across Kolkata.Calling football “an emotion” for the people of Bengal, Khan said the govt wanted fans to experience the excitement of the World Cup final collectively. “Football is a passion and an emotion for the people of Bengal. Seeing that enthusiasm, the state govt is organising live public screenings of the World Cup. This is the first initiative of its kind in the state,” he said.An official communication issued on Friday by the state govt to district magistrates underlined Bengal’s long-standing football culture while directing authorities to make extensive arrangements for the public screenings. “You are aware that football is the most popular sport in our State, which also boasts a rich football tradition. To ensure that the general people of the districts can enjoy and experience the Fifa World Cup final, the state govt has decided to screen the match live on giant screens at prominent places in all districts,” the order said.The notification instructed district administrations to arrange the required logistics, ensure adequate publicity well in advance and oversee smooth conduct of the events. It also confirmed that each district would receive Rs 1 lakh to organise the screenings.The statewide celebration is not being limited to govt venues. Local clubs, neighbourhood organisations and community groups are also joining the festivities.In Baguiati, a ‘Football Final Festival’ has been planned from 8 pm on Sunday by the Rajarhat-Gopalpur MLA Tarunjyoti Tewari. “The event will feature live music, games, a quiz competition and the live telecast of the World Cup final on a giant screen. We have appealed to residents to come together and celebrate what they describe as football’s biggest night,” he said.
