Good news for Indian Football fans in Uttar Pradesh: AIFF Prez Kalyan Chaubey announced that Lucknow would get its maiden opportunity to witness live football action as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will face off in an exhibition.
Chaubey, in conversation with Times of India, revealed that Lucknow shall get the chance to host the two Kolkata clubs in an exhibition match in September.
“We are organizing an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal on September 2 at the KD Singh Babu Stadium,” stated Chaubey.
“AIFF representatives have inspected the ground, and UP Sports Department is making the necessary renovations.”
Sports Director RP Singh echoed Chaubey’s statements and enthusiasm, expounding on the preparations that have been set in place to host the two clubs.
“The ground has been levelled, patchwork on the grass has been completed, and fertilizer is being applied to nurture the grass, which will be trimmed 3-4 days before the match to ensure optimal conditions for the ground,” Singh stated.
“Changing rooms are being renovated and new goalposts are being procured, The match will be played under floodlights, and the media center is also being refurbished. The teams are expected to arrive on September 1. Three dugouts are constructed on the ground, two for the teams and one for the technical team.”
The Kolkata derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC in the Durand Cup, scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, was cancelled because of the prevailing unrest in the city.
“On behalf of the Durand Cup Organizing Committee, this is to regretfully inform you that the final Group A fixture between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Emami East Bengal FC, scheduled to be played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on August 18, 2024 at 7.00pm, stands abandoned,” read the statement from the Durand Cup organisers.
The decision was taken following a meeting between the Kolkata Police officials and organisers of the tournament.
“Both the teams will be awarded a point each, while the fans will get full refund for the tickets they bought,” an official told PTI.
There has been widespread protests following the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the city on August 9.
On Saturday, the Indian Medical Association called for a 24-hour nationwide strike to protest the rape and murder of their colleague.
In the previous edition of the Durand Cup, Mohun Bagan emerged victorious against their arch-rivals East Bengal in the final to lift the trophy, after having suffered a reverse in this very fixture, enabling them to life the trophy a record 17 times – the most in the history of the century-old tournament.
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