India is gearing up to host one of the biggest youth sport events in the world, FIFA U-17 World Cup, this year and there is huge excitement among the football fans in the country. There may be even one more reason for the football lovers in Kolkata to rejoice, as Diego Maradona is set to visit the City of Joy on September 18-19, a couple of weeks ahead of FIFA U-17 World Cup.
This is not for the first time Maradona will come to Kolkata. The 56-year-old had come down to India in 2008, and he was well received by the football fans in Kolkata. Fans had poured out at the airport to get a glimpse of Maradona, and the same could be expected this time around as well. The former Argentinian football captain will also be given a lifetime achievement award by the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Maradona, who had led his country to a historic World Cup win in 1986, remembers his last trip, and especially the fans, who had gathered in huge numbers to greet the legend.
"It is such an honour for me to be able to make this trip. Kolkata is a very special place and I have good memories from my trip there many years ago, the fans were fantastic," Press Trust of India quoted Maradona as saying.
The occasion will be even grander this time as a charity match is also planned during his two-day visit.
What makes this match special? Well, when a celebrity comes to Kolkata, it is never going to be complete without involving the biggest star of the city, Sourav Ganguly. The former India cricket captain will be involved in a football match, which will include Maradona and other celebrities as well.
"This will be called the 'Match for Unity', and will not be an 11-a-side. We will try to ensure that Maradona remains in the spotlight. Besides Ganguly, there will be a host of other celebrities. We are finalising the venue," Satadru Dutta, founder of Moksh Sports Ventures, the promoter of Maradona's trip said.
