Diego Maradona's kolkata tour - Photos

Football icon Diego Armando Maradona blows a kiss to his fans at Maheshtala in Kolkata on Saturday where he also laid the foundation stone of the Indian Football School.

The former Argentina captain arrived to a rousing welcome at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport by thousands of frenzied fans who remained awake till past mid night waving Argentina's national flag of white and sky blue.

Euphoric scenes were witnessed at the airport as the Lufthansa flight touched down at around 1:30 am on Saturday and the 48-year old football legend, who had turned up in four FIFA World Cup tournaments for Argentina, emerged after almost a 36-hour journey.

The crowd chanted 'Diego, Diego' as the convoy rolled on.

The nimble-footed football wizard is slated to attend a host of programmes for the next two days, beginning with the stone-laying function of the Indian Football School (IFS).

Maradona would next visit the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, 11 years after the passing of the "apostle of peace", like other foreign dignitaries including former US President Bill Clinton.

In the afternoon, the Argentine will proceed to Yuba Bharati Krirangan (YBK) at Salt Lake where an exhibition match between Chief Minister's XI and External Affairs Ministry XI has been organised.

The Argentine soccer legend will also conduct a football clinic at the Mohun Bagan ground in Kolkata for Under-12 boys on Sunday.

This will be yet another honour for the 119-year-old city outfit, which raised nationalist spirits during the freedom struggle against British rule by becoming the first ever Indian club to win the IFA Shield in 1911.

In a cheerful mood, with girl friend Veronica by his side, the legend signed autographs for children and shook hands with fans.

"Maradona is God to us. Till now we have just heard about him. By seeing him in person we are blessed," gushed an admirer just after catching a glimpse of the legend.

Maradona would be showered with gifts, among which are golden replica of the stadium, and a left foot with a football.

The entire trip will cost a whopping Rs 11 crore and is being organised by Shamik Lahiri, event manager Celebrity Management Group (CMG), and the state government.


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