Mamata Banerjee-Designed Football-Themed Sculpture Removed From Bengal’s Salt Lake Stadium
Mamata Banerjee-Designed Football-Themed Sculpture Removed From Bengal’s Salt Lake Stadium Published By, Last Updated: May 23, 2026, 13:01 IST West Bengal government removes controversial football
Mamata Banerjee-Designed Football-Themed Sculpture Removed From Bengal’s Salt Lake Stadium Published By, Last Updated: May 23, 2026, 13:01 IST West Bengal government removes controversial football themed sculpture outside Salt Lake Stadium, the artwork was designed by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee Football-Themed Half-Torso Installation Outside Salt Lake Stadium Removed The West Bengal government on Saturday removed the controversial football-themed half-body sculpture installed outside the Salt Lake Stadium, which had been designed by former chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The decision came after State Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik earlier announced plans for infrastructure upgrades at the stadium.
Pramanik strongly criticised the appearance of the sculpture and said it lacked aesthetic value. “Such an ugly-looking statue, two legs cut at the torso and football above it does not make sense. It does not look aesthetically pleasing either, so we will not keep such a grotesque structure that has no meaning, and it will be taken down," Pramanik told reporters. The removal of the structure was carried out on Saturday as part of the changes planned around the stadium complex. The sculpture was installed in 2017 near the VVIP gate of the Salt Lake Stadium ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The structure featured giant footballing legs merging into the Biswa Bangla logo, with the word “Joyi" written on the football. Over the years, the installation had attracted criticism and controversy over its design and appearance. The state government has now removed the sculpture while preparing for a broader infrastructure upgrade at the stadium. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India First Published: May 23, 2026, 12:58 IST News india Mamata Banerjee-Designed Football-Themed Sculpture Removed From Bengal’s Salt Lake Stadium Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.
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