By Sayantan Maitra
I-LEAGUE Media Team
NEW DELHI: The return leg of the Kolkata Derby in the Hero I-League is going to be sensational in many ways. While the last encounter at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, back in February, saw a 1-1 draw; the die-hard fans are now expecting a favourable result – a one which will reveal a victor and a vanquished.
Come March 28, and the plethora of football fans residing in the various paras of the city will once again come together as McDowell’s Mohun Bagan host Kingfisher East Bengal at the Mecca of Indian football – the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The Mariners in an effort to build-up the atmosphere and the euphoria before the derby, have taken up a good initiative to promote the game among the football lovers of the City of Joy. They for the very first time introducing a Hospitality Zone tickets section for the Derby match for the elite people in the prime position with a good view of the field.
There will also be a gourmet menu and fridge stocked with premium beverages to be replenished during the game. Afterall, there is nothing better for a Kolkatan than maach, mishti, and football. If the three combine, there’s nothing like it!
It has been known that there will be a special enclosure in the Green-and-Maroon stands, that will be introduced for the first time. According to a report in the Times of India, this special zone will be carved out of a section of the middle tier of the stadium with 400 seats.
The tickets will be priced at Rs 1,000 and apart from comfortable chairs and sofas to catch the match from, mineral water and high tea will be served.
Not only that, to be present on the menu is the mouthwatering fried bhetki fish, sandwiches (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), the famous sandesh from the ‘Nakurs’ of North Kolkata and coffee. At the entrance to the hospitality zone, roses will also be distributed to the spectators.
One might only think if this is just another biye-baari in the not-so-regular wedding season. However, this is football, and for Bangalis, there’s no big game in the history of sports but the match between the Lal-Holud army and the Sobuj-Maroon army.
There have been other promotional activities like branding of the upcoming Derby Match of the Hero I-League which includes putting of hoarding in prime locations of the city to popularize the game, and besides that, a Tableau will run throughout the City of Kolkata in promotion of the game to every nook and corner.
The sale of tickets is also being done through the Tableau so that maximum number of people can witness the match at the Venue.
Debashish Dutta, Director, United Mohun Bagan Football Team Pvt. Ltd, says, “We have always looked forward to new and enterprising activities when we get to host this big game in Indian Football. As always, this year, we started this new promotional activity with an effort to reach to the fans and showcase the intensity of the derby.
“The introduction of the family block has reaped benefits as the ticket demands have been incessant, and many are impressed with the amenities that are to be provided at a not-so-very-high price. We are expecting more than 80000 supporters at the Yuva Bharati this Saturday, and we are hopeful the women-folk will join their male counterparts in equal number.”
All roads lead to the Salt Lake Stadium this Saturday, as Mohun Bagan look forward to carrying on their unbeaten streak in the Hero I-League this season, while East Bengal look to build on their win record against Bagan in the national league.
So far, the two heavyweights have played each other 35 times in the NFL/I-League. While KEB have won 14 times, MMB have won ten times. They scoreline has been a draw on 11 occasions.
In the first leg Kolkata derby of the Hero I-League this season, the result was a 1-1 draw, as Pierre Boya’s first blood for the visitors was cancelled out by KEB talisman Ranti Martins.
