Sourav Ganguly, Barreto Team Up to Launch Durgapur Sports Carnival
Durgapur International Marathon to headline multi sport festival backed by top sports bodies
India, Jan 14 : Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has joined hands with football icon Jose Barreto and top sports administrators to spearhead the Durgapur Sports Carnival 2026, a multi-discipline sporting festival aimed at promoting grassroots talent and fitness culture in West Bengal.
The initiative also brings together Ajit Banerjee, President of the Indian Football Association (IFA), Chandan Roy Choudhury, President of the Bengal Olympic Association (BOA), along with popular entertainment personalities Puja Banerjee and Mrs India Saini Sarkar. The carnival is scheduled to be officially flagged off on Republic Day.
A key highlight of the event will be the inaugural Durgapur International Marathon 2026, titled ‘Run for Unity’, which will be held on Sunday as part of the larger sports carnival. Organised by Durgapur Club Samannay, the marathon is expected to place the industrial city firmly on India’s growing sports map.
The Durgapur Sports Carnival 2026 is envisioned as a comprehensive platform featuring a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports, including badminton, basketball, kho-kho, table tennis, football and cricket, with competitions open to both men and women.
In a significant endorsement, the Bengal Olympic Association has extended its support to the carnival, strengthening efforts to identify and nurture young sporting talent. The organisers believe the initiative will help prepare athletes for state, national and international competitions while encouraging greater community participation in sports and fitness.
