Maradona comes to Kolkata
Sunday, 7 December 2008
KOLKATA, Dec 6 (AFP): Soccer superstar Diego Maradona arrived here Saturday to a frenzied welcome by fans who defied tight security to catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend.
Thousands of fans jostled and almost ran over the barricades at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport as the 5,000-strong security team tried to control the surging crowd.
Maradona, sporting a black jacket and trousers, waved back to the fans as he boarded a bus.
Doubts were cast over Maradona's first-ever visit to the country following the recent devastating Mumbai attacks that killed 163 people including 26 foreigners.
However, the recently appointed Argentina coach decided to keep his date with the country.
Maradona is set to inaugurate a football school and also visit the global headquarters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity order during his hectic two-day trip to the soccer- mad city.
Thousands of fans jostled and almost ran over the barricades at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose airport as the 5,000-strong security team tried to control the surging crowd.
Maradona, sporting a black jacket and trousers, waved back to the fans as he boarded a bus.
Doubts were cast over Maradona's first-ever visit to the country following the recent devastating Mumbai attacks that killed 163 people including 26 foreigners.
However, the recently appointed Argentina coach decided to keep his date with the country.
Maradona is set to inaugurate a football school and also visit the global headquarters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity order during his hectic two-day trip to the soccer- mad city.