Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:57pm on 07 Jan 2026,Wednesday Sports
India's Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya sparked widespread ridicule after mispronouncing Mohun Bagan and East Bengal—two of India's most iconic football clubs during a crucial ISL press conference on January 6, 2026. The minister was announcing that the stalled ISL 2025-26 season would resume February 14 with all 14 clubs participating, ending months of uncertainty. However, his pronunciation gaffes calling them "Mohan Baigan" and "East Baigan" instantly overshadowed the positive announcement and became viral on social media. The slip-up triggered backlash and reopened questions about football awareness at top government levels. Mandaviya appeared alongside AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and club representatives during the announcement meant to signal stability for Indian football.
