India is still a sleeping elephant when it comes to football. Diego Armando Maradona who wished to bring the big-time beautiful game to India left the world with his unfulfilled promise. His sudden death sent shock waves throughout the world. the former Argentina football ‘genius’ Maradona passed away on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest. In a country where people worship cricket players, Maradona had managed to attract thousands of football enthusiasts when he last visited Kolkata three years ago.
Though India had qualified for 1950 FIFA World Cup, The Indians never made any significant success in football. the golden period for the Indian football began from 1951 – 1962. Under the leadership of Syed Abdul Rahim India became the best team in Asia. In the Olympics of 1956, Indian football finished fourth which and Won the 1962 Asian cup by defeating the South-Koreans 2-1. At present India needed the Maradona’s hand of god push to revive the football in the cricket-mad nation.
when Maradona landed in India, at Kolkata’s historic Salt Lake stadium. The crowd was captivated see the compact and stylish finisher of Argentina. Maradona story is one of those who rose from rags to riches. In 2017, when he was playing football with young lads of India. He was a point of focus, as the boys were star struck to see the football god in front of them. Many managed just a photograph and autographs, and Diego was kind enough to not disappoint them.
In his three minutes of Spanish Speech, “I’m here for football. It is a big step, that we take to uplift football in India,” his three-day visit was co-sponsored by a local politician. admiring the local talent the Maradona said “The country really has good players and a football school of boys. Football wants India and India want football.”
He wanted to bring the beautiful and spectacular sport to India with people of India for them, “Together with the people we will bring a football. I have always been very well received in India. Thanks and kiss!” Diego signed off never returned to the ‘City of Joy’.
