Mamata dedicates 'Khela Hobe' anthem for encouraging sports activities in state

Ahead of newly announced 'Khela Hobe Diwas' on August 16, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dedicated her party’s unofficial anthem for encouraging sports activities in the state.

After the assembly polls, ‘Khela Hobe’ slogan was again heard from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today as she dribbled with footballs, while inaugurating ‘Khela Hobe Diwas’ that the state would observe on August 16.

Mamata Banerjee on Monday distributed one lakh footballs for rural Bengal and 100 footballs each will be given to Mohun Bagan & East Bengal, for encouraging sports. She also announced that 303 clubs under IFA will get 10 footballs each to promote sports in the state.

“Khela Hobe slogan has become very popular and it can be heard in Parliament. Soon this slogan will reach every corner of the country. During the Assembly polls, wherever I visited for campaigns, people used to greet me with this slogan,” Mamata said.

The state government has given Rs15,000 to various sports clubs to organize tournaments on "Khela Hobe" diwas on August 16. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Debangshu Bhattacharya Deb was the man behind the party's unofficial anthem, ‘Khela Hobe’. It became a raging hit among the people of Bengal during assembly polls.

While distributing footballs to different clubs for organising a tournament on Khela Hobe Diwas, Mamata Banerjee said that sports actually rejuvenate people’s mind and it must be encouraged.

“An unceremonious incident happened during a tournament on August 16 years back leading to the death of many. We had decided to keep Khela Hobe Diwas on this day and celebrate the day with new hope. We will give footballs to clubs at every district, blocks and to big clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan,” Mamata said, adding that her government gives five lakh rupees grant to 25 clubs across the state for organising different tournaments and programs.