Kolkata, June 22 (IBNS): To encourage new talents in football, a new football academy ‘Royal Bengal Tigers’ was launched in West Bengal's Durgapur town on Thursday.
 
West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra and veteran footballer Chuni Goswami were present at the event.
 
Academy chairperson Anantabijay Laha said: “The organization is planning to establish a world class football academy to boost the aspiring talents of Indian football with facilities like gym, swimming pool, globally acclaimed coaches, doctors, boarding for its players.”
 
On this occasion, Mitra said: “Royal Bengal Tigers is a football academy with the vision of setting a club of international standard, with a view to benefit the aspiring football talents in India.”
 
“The creams of Durgapur are the tribals. No doubt that they are much more adventurous than city boys.”
 
“The authorities have promised me that they will select 100 boys from the backward section of the society for training. These young boys will be ensured free food, lodging and education,” said the minister.
 
“At this point of time it is not possible for the state government to set up an academy like this, but the government will always support such an initiative,” said Mitra.
 
Chuni Goswami, who is one of the members of the advisory board of ‘Royal Bengal Tigers’, said: “I am happy that they are encouraging young talents. It is nice that they are giving privileges to the underprivileged, but they should always maintain the quality of the academy.”
 
Footballer Biswajit Bhattacharya, who is among the members of the advisory board, graced the occasion.
 
Authorities said a sum of around Rs 3.5 to 4 crore has been invested in this project.

They said the academy will be formed within next six months.
 
 
(Reporting by Shreejata Niyogi)