INDIA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fans welcome football legend Diego Maradona as he arrives on his first ever visit to India

Record ID: 1375047

  • Title: INDIA: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fans welcome football legend Diego Maradona as he arrives on his first ever visit to India
  • Date: 7th December 2008
  • Summary: MARADONA LAYING FOUNDATION STONE FOR A FOOTBALL ACADEMY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA, ARGENTINEAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM COACH, SAYING: "I didn't have any idea that in this country the people are crazy about football and they play very good football and I'm really happy to see the zest that these people have and the passion with which they avail training in football."
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2008 08:43
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVACXBWJSEPUTVEHCKJ000X5BGU4
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Recently appointed Argentina national football coach Diego Maradona arrived to Kolkata, India on Saturday (December 6) receiving a rousing reception from thousands of fans.
    Maradona, on his first ever visit to India, arrived at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport in early hours on Saturday to see crowd of people dancing and singing his name.

    "Today is a historic day and a proud moment not only in the history of Kolkata but India as well, that such a great sports personality like Maradona is visiting our country," Sanjay, a Maradona fan told Reuters Television.
    Later on Saturday, Maradona laid foundation stone for a football school.
    Blowing kisses and waving to the crowd, the 48-year-old Argentine said he had not anticipated that his two-day visit would evoke such a huge response.

    "I didn't have any idea that in this country the people are crazy about football and they play very good football and I'm really happy to see the zest that these people have and the passion with which they avail training in football."
    Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup triumph in 1986 is also expected to visit the global headquarters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity during his visit to the football-mad city.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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