Messi event ticket money will be refunded to 33,000 fans, assures CM Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari said 33,000 fans from the chaotic Messi event at Yuva Bharati Stadium would get refunds. He said the process had begun internally and linked the move to a wider sports-sector overhaul.
"In recent years, West Bengal's representation in the Olympics, the Asian Games, or national teams has been virtually non-existent, whereas states like Odisha and Jharkhand send representatives. Bengal possesses talent, intellect, dedication, and focus, but lacks the necessary systems, initiatives, and political will.
Why must every sports sector or organisation be controlled by politics? The change this time will be a transformation of that very system. We will ensure that happens."
Bringing the Lionel Messi fiasco to the forefront, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on National Sports Day assured that the money of 33,000 fans who bought tickets for the chaotic Messi event at Yuva Bharati Stadium will be refunded from the state's sports budget.
Lionel Messi had visited the Yuva Bharati Stadium on December 13, 2025, but the event was marred by chaos.
The excessive hobnobbing by Aroop Biswas, the Sports Minister under Mamata, was blamed for the disorder.
Although spectators present at the stadium that day demanded a refund for tickets costing Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000, that demand has not yet been met.
Referring to the incident at a special National Sports Day event held at Nabanna to mark the birth anniversary of 'Wizard of Hockey' Major Dhyan Chand, Suvendu said,
"Messi has a huge fan base. They had purchased tickets costing Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000. It is my wish to ensure that the money paid by these 33,000 sports enthusiasts is refunded. I have already initiated the process internally. I hope to be able to accomplish this."
The event on Saturday was attended by former hockey player Gurbux Singh, Sports Minister Indranil Khan, All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey and others. Accomplished athletes were felicitated and handed appointment letters on the occasion.
Lashing out at the previous government for neglecting the sports sector, the Chief Minister said :
"You would be surprised to know that the paperwork for many of the athletes who received appointment letters today had been gathering dust in the Chief Minister's office for 11 years.
Outlining his government's roadmap, the chief minister stated,
"We have allocated a budget of four hundred crore rupees for the sports sector; although, this is not a full-year budget but one covering eight months.
We will build mini indoor stadiums in all 294 assembly constituencies, featuring tennis courts, badminton courts, and gymnasiums.
It is not possible to build 294 stadiums in a single year, so we will construct 100 stadiums this year. The existing stadiums are in a dilapidated state; the previous government neglected the sports sector."
ends
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