Ratan Saha Defends His Role in Tripura Sports, Highlights Contributions Amid Criticism Over Multiple Sports Body Positions
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, August 3, 2026
A political and sporting debate has emerged in Tripura following remarks made by former Member of Parliament Pratima Bhoumik, who questioned the role of Ratan Saha, the brother of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, and his association with multiple sports organizations in the state.
Without directly naming the former MP, Ratan Saha responded through a detailed public statement defending his involvement in sports administration and outlining what he described as his long-standing contributions to the development of sports in Tripura.
According to Saha, sports in Tripura have undergone a significant transformation from being merely a recreational activity to becoming a viable career option for young athletes. He attributed this shift to sustained efforts aimed at strengthening sports governance, improving transparency, and creating opportunities for local talent.
Former Athlete Turned Sports Administrator
Saha said his involvement in sports administration stems from his own sporting background. He claimed to have been a state badminton champion for 12 years and also represented the state in table tennis and football. His experience as an athlete, he said, motivated him to work for the welfare of future generations of sportspersons.
He also recalled introducing night football tournaments in Tripura by spending from his personal resources while serving as President of the Tripura Football Association from 2018. According to him, he voluntarily resigned from the post immediately after crossing the prescribed age limit of 70 years, asserting that he has never sought positions merely for power or prestige.
Saha acknowledged that the state government has created substantial sports infrastructure in recent years, including synthetic football grounds, hockey facilities, swimming pools, athletic tracks and indoor cricket facilities.
However, he argued that despite these investments, many genuine athletes from Tripura failed to benefit because of alleged irregularities in sports administration.
He alleged that a certificate scam had allowed players from outside Tripura to participate in competitions under the state's name, depriving local athletes of opportunities. According to him, these alleged irregularities continued for several years and affected the credibility of sports administration in the state.
In his statement, Saha alleged that one individual exercised control over a large number of state sports associations and that he, along with several sports enthusiasts, initiated a legal battle to free the Tripura Olympic Association from that influence.
He claimed that these efforts ultimately enabled the Tripura Olympic Association (TOA) to receive recognition from the Indian Olympic Association, paving the way for transparent sports culture.
Describing himself as a businessman rather than an elected representative, Saha said he has spent nearly five decades in Tripura's cinema industry and continued investing in the sector even when most cinema halls in the state had shut down.
He also stated that he is among the state's major GST contributors and has been recognized for tax compliance.
Saha further claimed that transparent administration has enabled deserving athletes to progress through merit rather than recommendations.
He cited the successful organization of the Tripura State Games 2026, inaugurated in the presence of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha and Olympian Dipa Karmakar, as an example of efforts to identify and nurture talent from every district of the state.
According to him, the new system provides equal opportunities to athletes from remote areas, ensuring that selection is based on performance instead of influence.
The statement comes amid continuing political exchanges over sports administration in Tripura. While former MP Pratima Bhoumik questioned Ratan Saha's presence in multiple sports bodies, Saha has maintained that his involvement is driven solely by his commitment to strengthening sports and creating opportunities for Tripura's youth.
The controversy is expected to fuel further political debate, even as sports administrators and athletes continue discussions on governance, transparency, and the future direction of sports development in the state.
more news...