India, May 24 -- The West Bengal Government on Saturday morning demolished the football-themed sculpture located outside the VVIP gate of the Salt Lake Stadium, officially known as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK). Workers removed the Biswa Bangla logo parts first, then the rest of the structure. State Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik had announced the decision to demolish the sculpture earlier in the week.

The structure has faced sustained criticism from football fans since its installation nearly a decade ago, who called it "bizarre, meaningless, ugly and grotesque." The demolition is part of the BJP-led Government's effort to update the stadium's look and facilities.

The sculpture was erected in 2017 before the FIFA U-17 Worl...