Sourav Ganguly, Dhanraj Pillay to play a charity match with Diego Maradona

Kolkata, Aug 16: Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay, and several other sports persons would be seen playing a charity football match with Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

The organisers have also confirmed the availability of popular Bengali actor Abir Chatterjee and cricketers Manoj Tiwary and Deep Dasgupta on October 2 in an exhibition game, titled 'Match for Unity'.

Mohun Bagan forward Sony Norde and the club's former greats Chima Okorie, Jose Ramirez Barreto and Odafa Okolie will also be rubbing shoulders with the 1986 World Cup hero.

Maradona is expected to be in the eastern metropolis between October 2-4. This will be the second trip for the former Napoli star to the football-crazy city.

The exhibition match would be held at the Aditya School of Sports in Barasat.

"The non-football stars will be introduced one by one after the first 30 minutes maybe. We want serious football to be played in the first half hour. The idea is to give everyone a chance to rub shoulders with Maradona," Satadru Dutta, partner of 7d Ventures and Founder of Moksh Sports Ventures, the promoters of Maradona's trip, told IANS on Wednesday.

Former India players Prasun Banerjee, Carlton Chapman and Dipendu Biswas will also take part in the match.

It was learnt that former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has also been approached and the organisers are awaiting his response.

There will be a football competition between 21 Durga Pujas during the festival next month, the winners of which will receive the prize from Maradona. This tournament will be held on August 20.

myKhel.com News

(With inputs from IANS)