The FIFA ban on All India Football Federation (AIFF) left the members of Kestopur Amra Sabai Club more than disappointed. Being hardcore football fans, they not only protested against the decision but were also extremely hurt thinking about the future of Indian football. Then the club members decided to go in for a thematic Ganesh puja based on their love for football.
“You can take Bengal out of football, but you cannot take football out of Bengali. This is what we wanted to display through our puja,” said Shankar Dey, an organiser. Hence, to depict our love for the game, Amra Sabai designed five Ganesh idols, each wearing the jerseys of the teams Bengalis are crazy about – Brazil, Argentina, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. While four idols are shown playing a football match, the fifth idol will be worshipped.
“Currently, when most children are hooked on to their mobile phones and computers and are more accustomed to playing soccer matches on screen instead of on the field, we want to change this habit and inspire them to be more active with outdoor games,” said Shankar.
All these clay idols have been made in New Town. It has taken about 20 days to design the pandal and the idols.