Sourav Ganguly becomes Bengal state association president for second time:Ex-BCCI president aims to make Eden second-largest stadium; increases funds by ₹3 crore

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday reclaimed his role as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) after six years. Notably, the former Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) president was selected unanimously, replacing his brother Snehasish Ganguly, who had been in the role for nearly three years. Notably, there were no other candidates to contend for the role of the CAB president. When Ganguly filed his nominations just over a week back, he was the only one to apply for the role. Ganguly’s second stint as the CAB president It is Sourav Ganguly’s second stint as CAB president as he got elected unopposed at the CAB’s 94th annual general meeting on Monday. He has returned to the role of state association head after six years. He earlier served as CAB president from 2015 to 2019. After completing his earlier tenure with CAB, Ganguly took charge as the BCCI president in 2019 and held the position until 2022, after which he was succeeded by Roger Binny. Earlier this year, Sourav Ganguly was also reappointed as the chair of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee. He first assumed the position in 2021. ‘Eden Gardens would become the second-largest cricket stadium’- Ganguly After taking the role of the Bengal State Association president, Sourav Ganguly’s top priority lies in boosting Eden Gardens’ capacity to one lakh and securing marquee fixtures during next year’s T20 World Cup. He said: Whatever happens it would be after the T20 World Cup next year. The lease has been renewed. If the expansion plan materialises after next year’s T20 World Cup, Eden Gardens would become the second-largest cricket stadium in the country after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad, which has a seating capacity of 1.32 lakh. The Eden originally had a one-lakh-plus capacity, but gradually it has come down, keeping the spectators’ comfort in mind. Before the 2011 World Cup, it was reduced to the existing 68,000. He also pledged to oversee a smooth return of Test cricket to Eden Gardens when India hosts world champions South Africa on 14 November. Notably, it’s the first Test match to take place at Eden Gardens since the historic day-night pink-ball fixture against Bangladesh in 2019. Also Read: ‘Pakistan can beat India if PCB chairman-army chief open’:Former PAK all-rounder Imran Khan takes sarcastic dig at team’s struggles New state-of-the-art academy and other projects of former BCCI president Outlining his priorities for the new term, Ganguly stressed strengthening Bengal’s first-class structure and the launch of a new state-of-the-art academy in Dumurjala, for which CAB has procured 9 acres of land. Moreover, he also discussed expanding CAB’s Vision 2020 Programme to 2036, keeping India’s Olympic bid in mind. The CAB also increased its development funds to state units and district associations from Rs 5 crore to Rs 8 crore. Sourav lists India as Asia Cup favourite While speaking to ANI, Sourav Ganguly said, “India is a very good team. We defeated Pakistan easily in the Super 4s match. We have a good chance to win (Asia Cup). I hope we will play well.”