The controversial football-themed statue outside Yuva Bharati Stadium in Salt Lake, West Bengal, has been demolished following an announcement by Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik. The structure, which was installed in 2017 during the stadium's renovation for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, faced years of criticism for its design, which many football fans deemed inappropriate for such a historically significant venue. The statue featured an abstract football design, including a large sphere with the Biswa Bangla logo and footballs inscribed with the word 'Joyi' (victorious). After attending the ISL Kolkata Derby, Pramanik stated that the statue did not fit the stature of an international-standard venue and called for a more meaningful landmark. The demolition was carried out swiftly, within days of his remarks, and is viewed as a significant change under the new sports administration. Following the removal, attention has shifted to what will replace the statue, with fans expressing a desire for a tribute to one of Bengal's or India's football legends.