Kolkata's Durga Puja Clubs Take to Football Field in TOI Behala Cup 2026
In a vibrant display of community spirit and athleticism, sixteen prominent Kolkata clubs, renowned for organizing grand and thematically rich Durga Pujas, recently showcased their football skills at The Times of India Behala Cup 2026 tournament. This innovative event, held over the weekend at Behala Harisava Maidan, was an initiative by Behala Club, marking the second edition of the tournament in this unique format where puja clubs compete against each other on the football pitch.
Champions Crowned and Key Performers Recognized
After an exciting series of matches, Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal emerged as the champions of the tournament, securing a hard-fought victory in the final. Ballygunge 21 Pally claimed the runners-up trophy, following a closely contested competition. The tournament was not only a local spectacle but also reached a wider audience through live-streaming on social media platforms.
Individual accolades were awarded to standout players. Bunty Majumder was adjudged the man of the tournament for his consistent performance, while Jitu Sekh earned the title of man of the final match. Debakar Sardar of 41 Pally Club distinguished himself as the highest goal scorer, and Rohan Yadav of Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal was recognized as the best goalkeeper.
Tournament Structure and Participating Clubs
The sixteen participating puja clubs were divided into two groups, A and B, each containing eight teams. After the group stages, four teams advanced to the semi-finals. The first semi-final featured a match between Bakulbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab and Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal, while the second semi-final saw Ballygunge 21 Pally face off against 41 Pally Club. Ultimately, Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal and Ballygunge 21 Pally progressed to the final, where Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal triumphed with a 2-1 scoreline.
The clubs that participated included: 41 Pally Club, 66 Pally Club, Ahiritola Yubak Brinda, Bakulbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab, Ballygunge Cultural Association, Ballygunge 21 Pally, Behala 29 Pally, Bidhan Sarani Atlas Club, Dakhin Lake Pally Sanhati, DumDum Park Sarbojanin, Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Samity, Kestopur Prafulla Kanan (Paschim) Adhibashibrinda, Netaji Jatiyo Sebadal, Pratapaditya Road Trikon Park, Pally Unnayan Samity Paschim Putiary, and Uttar Halder Para Club.
Community Engagement and Future Prospects
Prior to the semi-finals and final, an exhibition match was held between two local football camps consisting of children, highlighting the event's focus on nurturing young talent. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) MMiC Debashis Kumar, who attended the children's match, praised the tournament as an excellent platform for future players to demonstrate their abilities. He emphasized that such events provide junior players with opportunities to showcase their skills, potentially guiding them toward playing in larger leagues in the future.
Sayantan Bhattacharjee, assistant secretary of Behala Club, explained the inspiration behind involving puja clubs in a football tournament. He noted that Durga Puja and football are two inseparable elements for which Bengalis are widely known. This concept led to the idea of engaging puja clubs in a football competition, blending cultural heritage with sports enthusiasm.
Call for More Local Football Events
Rohan Yadav, the best goalkeeper of the tournament, expressed his appreciation for such events, noting that football tournaments have become less frequent in the Behala area. He highlighted that while more tournaments were organized in the past, current opportunities are limited, and there is a strong desire among participants for more similar events to be established in the future.
This tournament not only celebrated the sporting talents within Kolkata's puja community but also reinforced the importance of local sports initiatives in fostering community bonds and encouraging athletic development among youth.
