Frenzied Kolkatans can't have enough of Maradona

Kolkata: Frenzied Kolkatans didn't seem to have enough of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona as he visited the Mother House to pay obeisance to Mother Teresa and later called on Marxist icon Jyoti Basu, crowding both venues for a glimpse of the star and screaming themselves hoarse with their slogans.

On the second day of his visit to the city, Maradona lit a candle at Mother Teresa's tomb, participated in a prayer session with the sisters of the order, and shook hands with the orphan children to fulfil a wish that he has nurtured for years.

And from all accounts, Maradona and Basu got along famously - thanks to their common "friend", Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

"Viva Maradona", "Maradona, Maradona", shouted frenzied fans as he went to pay homage at the tomb of Mother Teresa - the Catholic nun revered worldwide as the Apostle of Peace.
Maradona spent half-an-hour at the Mother House, the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother Teresa in South Kolkata.

"I wanted to see what Mother Teresa has done in this city. So I want to utilise this trip to visit the Mother House," Maradona said on Saturday, disclosing why he had agreed to come to the city.

Mother Teresa, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, is known for her monumental work among the underprivileged.

Clad in a black T-shirt and jeans, Maradona arrived in a silver-white Mercedes at Mother House to deafening cheers from thousands of people who waited for hours on the streets and had perched themselves precariously on trees and walls of nearby buildings for a glimpse of the soccer genius.

He waved and threw flying kisses, as nuns of the order, draped in blue-white sarees received him on the narrow ally leading to the Mother House.

Once inside the courtyard of the building, Maradona and his girlfriend Veronica were welcomed with a blue-white garland by the sisters, who also seemed to enjoy every bit of their interaction with the soccer superstar.

Evidently in high spirits, Maradona went round the building, and met the young orphans - some of them mentally challenged.

He patted the infants on the head and kissed and embraced them before proceeding to the room where the Mother's grave lies.

Hands clasped, Maradona stood silently before the tomb and then lit a candle as the sisters chanted prayers.

Pindrop silence descended on the room once the prayers ended, as Maradona seemed to soak in the serenity of the place. He then knelt down and kissed the white marble of the tomb.
Before leaving, Maradona went back to the children. "Bye, bye", he said.

Outside, soccer fans sporting Argentine jerseys tried to break the barricade put up by the security personnel deployed in strength.

"I want to touch his feet - his left foot, and see what it is made of," said a youth.

"If he doesn't mind, I want to embrace him. Can you help me?" was another young Maradona fan's plea to a scribe.

Maradona called on Basu later in the day.
"Maradona told Basu, 'I (Maradona) am a friend of Fidel Castro, and you (Basu) are a friend of Castro too'," West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty told mediapersons waiting outside Basu's home in North 24-Parganas district.

"He further said 'Whoever is Castro's friend across the world is also my friend'," Chakraborty added.

The football hero met the nonagenarian politician for 10 minutes, but disappointed his fans who waited in hundreds outside Basu's residence.

Lending a communist hue to Maradona's visit to Kolkata, the organisers had arranged for a tete-a-tete between him and Basu. Maradona, a great admirer of Castro, readily agreed to call on Basu at his residence after seeing a photograph of the former chief minister with Castro.

The photo, showing Castro and Basu standing side by side, was taken in 1973 when the former Cuban president visited the city. It was sent to Maradona about 10 days ago by the organisers of his visit.

Kolkata, the soccer crazy hub of India, had accorded a tumultuous welcome to the hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph since he landed in the city in the wee hours on Saturday.

More than 50,000 exuberant fans spent a sleepless night as they assembled at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and lined the route of his convoy upto the hotel.

Around 80,000 people turned up on Saturday afternoon at the giant Salt Lake stadium, where Maradona was felicitated. He also laid the foundation stone of the Indian Football School at Maheshtala, 13 km south of the city.

Bhutia disappointed with handling of Maradona's visit

The chaos which nearly threatened to upset Diego Maradona's felicitation programme at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan left India captain Baichung Bhutia disappointed.

Bhutia, who led the External Affairs XI side against the Chief Ministers XI in an exhibition match, was thrilled to have come close to the legend, was however, unhappy with the way things were handled by the organisers, the state governement and celebrity management company.

"Things could have been better handled. There were too many people around with the cops and media getting into the way of things. That Maradona will be visiting Kolkata was known before hand, but the organisation left a lot to be desired," said the India and Mohun Bagan skipper.However, the Sikkimese snipper was thrilled with the experience.

"It was great to come close to the legend. There was a lot of excitement and it was nice that such a legend visited the city.

"Bhutia's team won the match 1-0, courtesy an own goal. Maradona is scheduled to visit Mohun Bagan club on Sunday for a clinic with under-12 boys of the club but Bhutia said he won't be there."I know a lot of players would be going but I am not going there," he said.

Maradona willing to help Indian football

Soccer legend Diego Maradona on Saturday said he is open to helping India develop the game once his tenure as Argentina's coach ends.

"I am now on contract as coach of Argentina. Once the contract ends I would like to come to India and help improve the soccer infrastructure in this country," Maradona said during a 45-minute freewheeling media conference.

The 'God of soccer', who received a tumultuous welcome from thousands of fans since his arrival early Saturday, said he was touched by the affection of Kolkatans and would love to return to India.

"The affection I have received here has added to my will to return," he said.

The 48-year-old Maradona who in the morning laid the foundation stone of the Indian Football School at Maheshtala, said: "We are discussing some projects, and if these discussions are fruitful I will come back."

Asked how India should proceed to get its own Maradona, the hero of Argentina's 1986 World Cup victory said: "I think a lot of attention and affection must be given to young players who are doing well. There is lot of competition in the world and India has a lot to achieve."

Expressing his "whole-hearted" support to Indian football, he said: "I think stress should be given on infrastructural development."

Maradona said he was moved by the love and affection showered on him here. "I really feel very emotional. I thought I have gone through enough experiences in this life. But after coming here I think there are more to come."

When a scribe asked Maradona, whether he felt scared on seeing thousands of passionate soccer buffs here, he promptly replied: "No, I have never been scared in my life. On the contrary, I was very much surprised and pleased to see all those waiting for me."

Maradona said one his reason to come to India was to visit the Mother House here. "I wanted to see what Mother Teresa has done in this city. So I want to utilise this trip to visit Mother House."

Hola! Kolkata greets football legend Maradona

Kolkata: Yes, Diego Maradona arrived at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport, Kolkata on Friday.
The Argentinean legend was greeted by a number of fans who stood on both sides of the road as he drove from the airport to the hotel.
When Goal.com learnt about Maradona coming to India, it dismissed it as some speculation or what the English call ‘papertalk’. Thereafter, it came to light that a celebrity management group and a Member of Parliament (MP) were behind this trip.
Ever since the news of Maradona’s arrival in India broke, there has been a frenzy and everyone has been waiting for the Argentina coach to arrive.
For last few days, most papers in the City of Joy were solely focused on Maradona. Sadly, though not much attention was given to the Federation Cup.
Everyday, people were treated to news such as Mohun Bagan to felicitate Maradona, the Rs100 tickets have been sold, XYZ would meet Maradona and what not. I must say that the PR agencies have done a good job.
Then you had MP Shamik Lahiri making new revelations each day as to what he talked about with Maradona! He even conveyed the media when Maradona uttered the hardest word ‘sorry’ to Jorge Valdano for not releasing the ball to score the ‘Greatest Goal of the Century!’
Everyday, there was some meeting and organisation to put up the 48 year old. The hotels were changed and the security was upped. Two helicopters have been fetched for his travel to Maheshtala where he will inaugurate the Indian Football School (IFS).
Then there were doubts as to whether he would come especially after the Mumbai terror when almost all the embassies asked their citizens not to visit India for some time. There were enquiries from Maradona’s entourage as to whether it was safe to travel.
An official from the celebrity management group, who were involved in the organisation was quoted saying, “I said there was nothing to worry about. This (terrorism) is an internal problem, which is happening on an off in the country for the past 20 years. There’s nothing to worry about.
"After all, the state government is in-charge of his (Maradona's) security, what is there to worry about. Kolkata is very much safe city, with no history of terror attacks.”
Wow! While the whole of Indian intelligence agencies are mulling over a foreign hand in the terror plots, this gentleman very amicable puts it as an ‘internal problem!’ Maradona’s arrival has allayed all such fears.
Media from all across the nation has headed to Kolkata to catch a glimpse and in the hope of getting an one-on-one exclusive interview.
In such cosmetic press conferences, seldom does one get an honest remark especially on controversial topics.
When Bayern Munich came to Kolkata earlier this year, in one of the media interaction sessions, Mark Van Bommel was asked about his unsporting gesture with hand in the crook of the elbow incident in the Champions League match with Real Madrid in 2007.
The Dutchman was unhappy about this and stated that he would like to talk about something else.
An exhibition match between the Chief Minister’s XI and the Foreign Minister’s XI has been organised at the Salt Lake Stadium by the state government while the Federation Cup is being played at the Barasat Stadium!
The two sides will be captained by Bhaichung Bhutia and Dulal Biswas. Bhaichung’s side would be coached by Mohun Bagan’s Karim Bencherifa and East Bengal’s Stanley Rosario while Dulal’s team shall be guided by Mohammedan Sporting’s Shabbir Ali and Chirag United’s Subrata Bhattacharya.
One question which we expect Maradona to be asked, especially after the exhibition match, would be about Indian football and his opinion on that!
Opinions are formed only after having credible knowledge and analysis of the same. In football, first impression isn’t the last one as the game is very unpredictable!
For now, let’s greet the Legend! We are not sure whether Maradona will utter some words in Hindi or Bengali but for those who want a personal interaction with the star, please have some Spanish lessons. I would help you start.
Bienvenido Maradona! (Welcome Maradona!)

Maradona may reconsider India visit after Mumbai attacks

The Mumbai terror attack has cast a shadow over Diego Maradona's two-day trip to Kolkata, even as the organisers claim the iconic Argentine football star's country visit is very much on.

Immediately after the terrorist strike at the country's commercial capital Mumbai, the 1986 World Cup hero's personal manager Sebastian De Monte got in touch with the city-based Celebrity Management Group (CMG) who are instrumental in bringing the football legend to Kolkata.

De Monte inquired about the prevailing situation in Kolkata and whether it was "safe" to travel to Kolkata at a time when terrorists were targetting foreigners, as was seen during the Mumbai attacks.

However, the CMG executive director Bhaswar Goswami assured that Maradona's visit was very much on as it was planned and there's no question mark over the trip.

"It's true that Diego's manager Sebastian enquired about the situation. He wanted to know what was happening in Mumbai and how safe is Kolkata... I said there was nothing to worry about. This (terrorism) is an internal problem, which is happening on an off in the country for the past 20 years.

"There's nothing to worry about, I assured him and he said both Maradona and Claudia (his estranged wife) have started packing for the trip," Goswami said.

So, as of now, the December 5 arrival of Maradona is very much on the cards, he added.
"Afterall, the state government is in-charge of his (Maradona's) security, what is there to worry about. Kolkata is very much safe city, with no history of terror attacks.

Moreover, Maradona had been to Israel, so I don't see any reason why he should abort touring India," Goswami said.

Just for information, Maradona is scheduled to arrive in the city on December 5 night. The next day, the Argentine legend will be felicitated in a grand way at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) at Salt Lake in a function which is said to attract about 1.2 lakh spectators.

Currently the national coach of Argentina football team, Maradona is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Indian Football School (IFS) at Maheshtala, near Kolkata and attend a clinic for the aspiring footballers in a series of programmes planned for the legend's first visit here.

Apparently, Maradona has signed and confirmed the itinerary when Goswami and CPI (M) MP Samik Lahiri called on at the Argentine's residence in Buenos Aires.

According to unofficial sources, 40 per cent of teh payment for Maradona's visit has already been made long back, while the remaining is said to be despatched by Monday.

The recent terror strike, it may be noted, cut short England's ODI seven-match series with the remaining two one-dayers in Guwahati and Delhi put off, while there is question mark over the Champions League Twenty20.

I will miss Sachin, others: Ganguly

Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS) Having retired from international cricket, former captain Sourav Ganguly Tuesday said he would miss his colleagues like Sachin Tendulkar in the Indian team, but would root for them whenever he watched them on television.

'I will watch them on television. I will root for them,' Ganguly told reporters at his residence, when asked how he would be in touch with other players in the team, particularly those he had groomed for the big league.

Asked about Tendulkar, with whom he formed one of the all-time best opening combinations in one-day cricket, Ganguly replied: 'Sachin was very close to me. Lot of other boys in the team were also close. I will miss their company.'

Ganguly rated his debut Test, the experience of captaining India for the first time and his last Test at Nagpur, which ended Monday, as the three best moments of his glittering career.

Ganguly said he was now looking forward to some rest before deciding his future. 'I have to wait and see how things unfold. Haven't decided yet. There are lot of opportunities before me. I have to look forward,' he said at the media meet, a couple of hours after returning to his city following his retirement.

He appeared pragmatic when asked if it felt bad to be called a former cricketer. 'This day was bound to come one day. Maradona, Pelle, Gavaskar, they all had to retire. One day, Tendulkar will also retire. This is part of sports.'

On the celebrations Monday after the series win against Australia at Nagpur, he said: 'Oh! It was geat fun. It was fantastic. It was a night to remember for all of us.'
Ganguly said the retirement of the seniors would provide an opportunity for the youngsters to take Indian cricket forward.

Earlier, hundreds of fans mobbed Ganguly when he returned to the city.

Bouquets in hand, the cricket buffs shouted slogans eulogising the former Indian captain and constantly cheered 'Dada', 'Dada' - as Ganguly is lovingly known.

They held aloft the tricolour, Ganguly's photographs and waved posters thanking him for his contribution to the game, the country and West Bengal.

Ganguly, who arrived at the N.S.C. Bose International Airport in the evening, was received by Municipal Affairs Minister Ashok Bhattacharya and Cricket Association of Bengal joint secretaries Biswarup Dey and Arun Mitra
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Maradona to visit India

Soccer - Argentina soccer great Diego Maradona will visit Kolkata, India on Dec. 6, a regional lawmaker organising the trip said on Tuesday.

The new Argentina coach will inaugurate a soccer academy and participate in a charity dinner where some of his playing gear would be auctioned, Shamik Lahiri told Reuters.

Thousands of fans are expected to attend a public reception planned for the 1986 World Cup-winning captain, he added.

Soccer - Mali captain Mahamadou Diarra will miss his country's friendly against Algeria in France next week because of injury, his club Real Madrid said on Monday.

Diarra suffered a thigh injury in Saturday' 4-3 win over Malaga in the Spanish league.

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