Bengal BJP kicks off ‘Narendra Cup’ football on Vivekananda’s Chicago speech anniversary

A day earlier, the BJP had released the tournament’s theme song and jersey.

With Assembly polls just months away, the party is leaving no stone unturned to expand its reach. “We are working to bring out players from the remote areas of Bengal,” said BJP’s Sukanta Mahato.

More than 1,300 teams will compete in 43 small tournaments across the state, mirroring the BJP’s 43 organisational districts. Winners of each tournament will receive a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 50,000. The second-placed teams will get Rs 25,000 and a trophy, while the third position will carry Rs 15,000.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress government is set to launch the “Swami Vivekananda Cup” from Friday, featuring 348 games. The final of that tournament will be held on March 26, 2026.

According to party sources, five members of the BJP Yuva Morcha and five senior leaders will form the committee to oversee the Narendra Cup.

Speaking to the media, state BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya said, “This Narendra Cup is organised all over the country in order to pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda. The tournament will be held from September 11 to September 17, which is also the day of Prime Minister Modi’s birthday. The TMC is having Vivekananda Cup, let them have Nibedita Cup, Rabindranath Cup, but no one’s picture should be set on fire.”

According to a senior BJP leader, the football tournaments are also aimed at reducing internal conflicts in the party while connecting with grassroots voters.

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