New Delhi: Fans of India’s oldest top-flight football club, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, are on the verge of setting a world record. During their match against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Monday, a 25,500-square-foot hand-painted banner will be unveiled.
This massive display, measuring 340 feet in length and 75 feet in width, is expected to surpass the previous record set by IFK Norrköping supporters, whose tifo measured over 16,000 square feet, according to Reuters.
A labour of love by Mariners
Legacy isn’t made alone. 🟢🔴
Big shout-out to our MBC girls for taking this tifo to the next level. 💪🏻💚❤️#JoyMohunBagan #MarinersBaseCamp #UltrasMohunBagan #UltrasLife #UltrasMentality #TheArtReturns #WorldsLargestHandPaintedTifo pic.twitter.com/poN0Vc3SJ9
— Mariners’ Base Camp – Ultras Mohun Bagan (@MbcOfficial) January 23, 2025
A group of dedicated Mohun Bagan fans have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Speaking to Reuters, Prasenjit Sarkar, a member of the Mariners Base Camp fan group, explained, “We painted it in five parts over 20 days straight. It’s a representation of our love for Mohun Bagan.” The group worked from a field 25 km away from the stadium, constructing bamboo scaffolding to safeguard the artwork and mounting all-night vigils to protect it.
The banner, held together by massive ropes typically used for docking ferries, saw the collective effort of around 20 people working at a time. Subhojit Kundu, an art student who travelled 1,000 km from Jagdalpur to join the project, told Reuters, “I had a small role, but being part of something this big is an honour.”
Another fan, Tanmoy Chakraborty, commuted 60 km daily to contribute to the work. “I had to find ways to make time,” he said. “We’d start in the morning and work till 2 a.m., while others stayed all night to guard it.”
Mohun Bagan, established in 1889 and known as ‘the Mariners,’ symbolises a rich footballing legacy in India. The club crest, featuring a sailing boat, reflects their historic connection with the sport and its passionate supporters.
As the tifo gets unveiled on Monday, it will not only showcase artistic brilliance but highlight the unwavering dedication of Mohun Bagan’s fans, a legacy that extends far beyond the pitch.
Mohun Bagan fans are set to unveil a 25,500-square-foot banner during the Bengaluru FC match, aiming to break the record for the largest hand-painted tifo, as told to Reuters. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
