After a span of 38 years, once again, Pele will be seen in action in Kolkata, on 12th October 2015. But this time the 74-year old Brazilian legend surely will not be seen in action with the ball as he was in 1977, playing his one and only friendly match against Mohun Bagan at the Eden Gardens.
Pele is coming to India on an invitation from Indian Air Force as the chief guest of Subrata Cup school football championship on its final day on 16th October. And on this occasion, the top brass of Athletico De Kolkata has been able to make the legendary footballer agreeing to watch the Kolkata team’s opening home match against Kerala Blasters at the Salt Lake Stadium on 13th October.
The plans ATK top brass has made so far are that Pele, who is supposed to arrive in Kolkata on 12th October, will be taken to Kolkata team’s hotel in Rajarhat. There, he will be meeting the players of ATK and the legendary striker might even inspire ATK footballers through some vocal tonic for their match against Kerala Blasters next day. Even, a function named, Legend’s Night is likely to be organized where Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, India’s two cricketing icons are expected to be present and join some question & answers sessions with Pele. Simultaneously, efforts are on to get Rafael Nadal who can join the show online from Spain.
The next day on 13th October, before the match ATK management has planned to invite the Mohun Bagan footballers who participated in the historic friendly match against Pele’s Cosmos club in 1977. Even, plans have been made so that ATK under-13 footballers can meet the King on the day before he leaves for New Delhi on the evening on 14th October.