Brazilian football legend Pele, who will be visiting India this month, will relive the moments he had in Kolkata 38 years ago, when he visits Eden Gardens before felicitating the 1977 batch of Mohun Bagan team. That side had the fortune of playing against the Black Pearl's New York Cosmos at the 80,000-capacity stadium.
Detailing out his three-day stay in Kolkata before he heads to New Delhi in mid-October, the organisers said Pele would attend a star-studded Legend's Night with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Pele will reach Kolkata on October 11 morning which will be a rest day. "It's a long 24 hours travel, so there will be nothing lined up on the first day," Satadru Dutta, one of the organisers of the event, said.
"There had been apprehension regarding his health as he had a back surgery but having met him I can assure you that he's in perfect health and there's no concern. In a lighter vein, he told me, 'I can still score goals if you stand under the bar'."
On the second day, Pele will take a tour of Eden Gardens en route to the Netaji Indoor Stadium as the Cricket Association of Bengal will felicitate the Brazilian legend in a royal manner. The Subrata Bhattacharya-led Mohun Bagan team that played out a 2-2 draw against New York Cosmos on that historic day of September 24, 1977 will also be present at the Legend's Night' at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on October 12.
"It's really unfortunate that we have lost our president Jagmohan Dalmiya who would have felicitated Pele ahead of his 75th birthday on October 23. But we'll do our best and do it in such a royal manner that his return to the Eden will leave a lasting impression," CAB treasurer Biswarup Dey said.
On the final day of his city tour, Pele will be the guest of honour at Atletico de Kolkata's first home match of the second season of the Indian Super League. In a video message, Pele has said: "I'm looking forward to my visit to Kolkata after 38 years, and during the time of Durga Puja."
Pele's visit is part of the first edition of the 'Legends Tour of India' conceptualised by Multicon Group and NSHM Knowledge Campus, where the Brazilian legend will interact with about 1,200 students before heading to Netaji Indoor Stadium on October 12.
