Blatter brings soccer dreams back to Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 14 (UNI) It can be World Cup cricket that is hogging all the limelight, but in the Mecca of Indian soccer its football in the air with FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter set to arrive here tonight.

VIP road wears a festive look with cutoiuts of Mr Blatter welcoming him to the city. Rajarhat and Gopalpur Municipality has built a huge stage in the shape of a football where the Swiss will be felicitated in front of 2007 boys with football in their hands.

This is to commemrate his arrival to this city in the year 2007, an official said.

Mr Blatter had altered his visit schedule to the city. He was expected to land here on Sunday morning. However, he will now arrive at 2045 hrs today, said IFA secretary Subrata Dutta.

He will visit the three big clubs Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting during his visit to the city. Mr Blatter will also watch the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal NFL derby tomorrow at Salt Lake stadium.

Ticket prices have been reduced to Rs 10 to attract a bigger crowd, informed AIFF chief Priya Ranjan Das Munshi.

Blatter will pay homage to Gostho Pal. Blatter's next stop will be Delhi, where he will meet the President, Prime Minister and some of the corporate biggies. It has been learnt that he was coming here with the mission of seeing soccer strike roots in this country in a professional atmosphere.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that AIFF is spending around Rs 50 lakh to play a good host for the FIFA President and his entourage of around 100 officials.

According to information from Zurich, Mr Blatter is confident that he would be able to set up the right football structure in this country and convert it into a great soccer playing nation.

UNI