Maradona to inaugurate Durga Puja pandal

This Puja, a huge star will descend from football heaven and walk among the mortals in the City of Joy in the form of Argentinian legend Diego Maradona.

Every time Maradona has stepped on the pitch, there have always been a comparison between him and God Almighty, with his handball goal against England in the 1986 World Cup final, being the most famous analogy. So, the news of Maradona coming to Kolkata in September to inaugurate one of the city's leading Durga Puja pandal has a certain ring to it.

Maradona is scheduled to touch down on September 19 for what will be the 1986 FIFA World Cup hero's second visit to the city. Thousands of fans gathered to welcome him past midnight at the airport in December 2008 when he came here for the first time. Though the name of the puja pandal Maradona will visit was not disclosed, it was informed that the 56-year-old will launch an initiative "Durga Darshan" where a select few will be able to visit 14 top puja pandals in air-conditioned buses with exclusive entry by paying Rs 1,000 between September 24 and 30. Maradona is also slated to play a charity football match against a team which boasts of former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, during his visit.

The organisers said people who will have the "Durga Darshan" ticket will be able to have a ring-side view of the game.