It is now final. Leo Messi is coming to India for a three-day tour between December 13-15 this year. While there is no football game planned, there will be a host of football centric activities that the greatest footballer of all time will be part of. Sports promoter Satadru Datta, who is behind the visit, confirmed this to Moneycontrol and said: “Yes it is now all confirmed and I wanted to do it for the football fans as a gift on Independence Day. Messi will be in four cities, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad and the idea is to give as many football fans the opportunity to experience what he is all about.”
Satadru, who was earlier instrumental is getting Maradona, Pele and others to India, met Messi earlier this year and explained the huge fan base for Argentinian soccer in India. “First I met his father and explained to him what I wanted to do. Thereafter on February 28 Messi met me for 45 minutes and wanted to know what exactly the plan was. Once he was convinced it was all worth it, he committed to coming,” said Satadru.
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While it is a very good initiative and promises to galvanize football fans from across the country, things can go South very quickly with efforts like this. With the Bengaluru stampede example before us, I asked Satadru about the security protocols that will be put in place. “Good you asked me this. Messi’s team was very particular about security and not just his security but for every fan who will come and attend the events. He doesn’t want a single fan who comes to go back unhappy or go back with an unpleasant memory. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure we have every drill planned well in advance. Each event will be in a stadium in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai and we will have adequate provisions for fans to buy tickets,” said Satadru.
This is much easier said than done though. In a city like Kolkata with millions of Messi fans, it could well be difficult to control them. And that’s where the organisers will be tested. Despite the best security measures in place, things can go out of control and spoil months of effort.
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Among other things Messi is expected to conduct a football clinic with kids, something that will mean the world to each kid chosen. “Messi will do everything associated with football. And from what I know a number of his friends will also come. Some of them are World Cup stars. Each one is invested in football so I am hopeful you will see a lot of things happen that will remain enduring memory for anyone who is there to witness it”, quipped Satadru.
Messi is expected to make a formal announcement on his own social media pages on September 1 and thereafter tickets will go on sale across the country. With the World Cup next year, it could be quite an occasion if organised well.
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