Maradona to visit Kolkata in December

Having played host to Pele and Oliver Kahn, the city is now gearing up to receive Argentine legend Diego Maradona who will be here on a two-day trip in the first week of December.

During his stay, the newly appointed Argentina coach will inaugurate a venture, named Indian Football School at Maheshtala and will also visit the Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity.

The football great was approached jointly by city-based Celebrity Management Group and Eden City in Maheshtala.

With Maradona's estranged wife Claudia acting as facilitator, CPI(M) MP Samik Lahiri met the 1986 World Cup winner at his residence in Buenos Aires.

"Following email exchanges routed through Claudia, Maradona agreed to meet us at his residence," Lahiri said.

"As a die-hard football fan, I thought upon this idea and finally it materialised on that fine day of November 1. We called on at his new residence. We found him very cordial and humble. He was looking fit and I found him to be like the Maradona of 1986.

"He is very keen to visit Kolkata for two reasons -- to promote football and visit Mother House. He spent more than one hour with us and signed a deal to visit Kolkata. We are really touched by his gesture," Lahiri, who led a two-member team, said.