Sportstar East Sports Conclave

Loreto College, Kolkata was invited by The Hindu to a sports conclave organized by the Sportstar (The Hindu) at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata on February 6, 2023. Nine selected students of several departments from the third year accompanied by Dr Soumya Dutta, Head, Department of Journalism & Mass Communications, attended the event.
The keynote address at the East Sports Conclave was delivered by former Indian cricket team captain and former BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly. Titas Sadhu and Dr Vece Paes were awarded the “Emerging Hero” award, and the “Unsung Hero” award respectively. The stage was next shared by Former Olympian Archer – Dola Banerjee, Olympic hockey medalist – Gurbux Singh, and Chess Grand Master – Dibendyu Barua. Former Olympian bronze medalist and star Indian tennis player Leander Paes in his special address enthralled the audience with his vision about life, sports and a healthy lifestyle.
Jhulan Goswami, former India captain expressed her views about the development of sports and how more and more women can take up cricket. She acknowledged how women’s cricket is in a much better position. Saradindu Mukherjee, former India cricketer and coach mentioned that domestic cricket has now become financially more rewarding. Abhisekh Dalmiya, IPL Governing Council member, talked about different aspects of cricket as a promising career. Jaideep Mukherjea, former Indian tennis player and president of Calcutta South Club, Deepankar Nandi, President, CC & FC, Indrajit Bhalotia, Royal Calcutta Golf Club and Chandan Roy Chowdhury of Calcutta Rowing Club expressed their ideas about the role of traditional clubs in promotion of sports. Debasish Dutta of ATK Mohun Bagan, Dipendu Biswas of Mohammedan Sporting, Debabrata Sarkar of East Bengal and Subroto Dutta, former President, IFA brainstormed on the road ahead for Kolkata football. Dr Ramanuj Ganguly, President of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and Richard Gasper, Principal and Director, St Augustine’s School deliberated on ways to revolutionise School and College sports.
Students representing the college at the conclave came up with thought-provoking questions which were lauded by the panelists and the audience. The questions helped the panelists to freshly think about areas which can change the sporting culture in the state and the nation. It was an enriching experience for the students.