West Bengal’s Sports Minister, Nisith Pramanik, indicated several changes in and around the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) — also known as the Salt Lake Stadium — shortly after the Kolkata derby ended 1-1 between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal in Kolkata on Sunday.
“We have made a few decisions about stadium infrastructure, including making a food court so that fans do not face issues when matches go on for a long period of time,” Pramanik said.
Pramanik was at the stadium with Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), and lauded the ambience of the derby, which saw over 62,000 people throng to the stadium. The match ended as a draw, with Jason Cummings’ late equaliser denying East Bengal its first win over Bagan in the Indian Super League.
“Both teams have delivered brilliant performances... we got to watch fans in huge numbers from both clubs; every club’s fan was at par with the other side. Moreover, all of it happened peacefully, which could only be possible since it happened in Kolkata,” Pramanik said.
“My best wishes to both the clubs, and we will see more such matches in the future, and we hope football, which has so much popularity in this state, expands further.”
Moreover, he added that the new government will also be looking to change the aesthetics around the stadium, especially the bizarre sculpture in front of the VIP gate, of a headless torso, with two balls on its feet, and the Biswa Bangla ball on top of the waist.
The structure was “conceived and designed” by West Bengal’s former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as part of Kolkata’s preparations for the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup 2017.
“This weird statue, without any real meaning, with severed legs and a ball, is something we will not keep. We will change it,” Pramanik said.
The Sports Minister also clarified that the GOAT Tour fiasco will be reinvestigated, and the ticket holders will be refunded. Lionel Messi, Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain, arrived in Kolkata for the first leg of the GOAT Tour in December 2025.
However, he, with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, left the stadium early amid chaos, with fans left frustrated and infuriated for not being able to clearly see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“As you all know, the Messi chapter was an embarrassment for this State, and after I took charge, we decided that people because of whom the event was sabotaged, they will not be spared. We have communicated the same to the agencies,” Pramanik said.
“Moreover, the general public, who saved their hard-earned money for the event to see Messi and couldn’t, we have had talks to return the money to each one of them. If that doesn’t happen, we will be forced to take strict action.”
Published on May 18, 2026