Kolkata, May 23 (IANS) The controversial statue outside Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area was removed on Saturday following directions issued by the state Sports Department.

State Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik had earlier announced that the structure located near the VVIP gate of the stadium would be demolished.

The demolition work began on Saturday morning and was completed shortly thereafter.

The statue had been installed in 2017 during the renovation of the Yuva Bharati Stadium in Salt Lake ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted in India that year.

The structure, extending from the feet to the waist and featuring the Biswa Bangla logo, had reportedly been designed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The installation had triggered controversy soon after it was unveiled, with many football supporters and social media users criticising the structure as bizarre and visually unappealing.

Several football fans had questioned the meaning and artistic interpretation of the installation.

Following the change of government in the state, Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik visited Yuva Bharati on May 17 to watch the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Pramanik criticised the structure and said: “Such a strange and bizarre statue, a football on a severed leg. I think the bad days of the previous government started after installing this statue. Then the Messi scandal happened and the government is no longer in power.”

He subsequently informed the Public Works Department that the structure would be removed.

After the demolition on Saturday morning, only two boots and a football remained at the site.

There is speculation that a statue of a footballer may now be installed at the location.

On the night of the derby, Pramanik had said: “We won’t keep a statue that has no meaning. A statue of a famous footballer will be installed in its place.”

–IANS

sch/pgh