Kolkata: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona will play the ‘match for unity’ against former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and his team on October 9, the organisers confirmed on Wednesday.
“We would like to confirm that the Match for Unity (Diego vs Dada) is to be held at Aditya School of Sports Stadium, Kadambagachi, Taki Road, North 24 Parganas on the 09th of October 2017 at 2.30pm,” a statement from the organisers read, as quoted by the Times of India.
It also stated that, “After much effort and an unforeseen change of date due to pressing obligations on Diego Maradona’s part we are delighted to announce that we have obtained all the necessary permissions and clearances necessary for the occasion.”
The 1986 World Cup winner is expected to arrive in the city on October 8. He will also inaugurate a football conclave on the same day, with a host of Indian celebrities, before playing the Diego vs Dada match, which will also involve other stars.
Earlier, Maradona who was scheduled to arrive in the city of joy on October 2 had to postpone his trip in order to fulfill his commitments with Al -Fujairah SC, a club he manages in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“To the people of Kolkata, I would like to tell you that due to my work obligations in the Arab Emirates, my visit to India on October 2 has been postponed,” he posted on his official Facebook page.
The confirmed date will not only bring a smile on the face of the football lovers in Kolkata, but the organisers will also breathe a sigh of relief after the long hapazarardous wait, in which we witnessed the arrival postpone as many as three times.
Although his arrival collides with the FIFA U-17 World Cup matches in Kolkata, the ‘match for unity’ will be held in a suitable time, as the India vs Colombia match on the same day is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. in the evening.