Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to Clash in Lucknow for the First Time
Lucknow will host a historic friendly match between arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC on September 2 at the iconic KD Singh Babu Stadium. This announcement was made by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday.
Historic Firsts
This match marks the first time East Bengal, with its 104-year history, will play in Lucknow. Mohun Bagan, established in 1889, will return to Lucknow after 69 years, having last played there in 1955.
Promoting Football in Uttar Pradesh
The AIFF, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh, aims to promote football across the state. As part of this initiative, 96,455 footballs will be distributed to 21,551 schools in 75 districts through Navodaya Vidyalaya.
Stadium Renovation
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, ensured the renovation of KD Singh Babu Stadium was completed in time for the match. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey met with the Chief Minister on August 8, 2024, to discuss the promotion of football in the state.
Coaches’ Remarks
Deggie Cardozo, head coach of Mohun Bagan, praised the initiative, saying, “This is a great initiative by the AIFF President to popularise football in Uttar Pradesh. I hope this match will inspire more youngsters to take up football.”
Bino George, head coach of East Bengal, added, “We often stress on grassroots development, and it becomes all the more important for a state like Uttar Pradesh. I really appreciate this initiative by the AIFF to bring such a big match to Lucknow.”
Doubts Revealed
Mohun Bagan -: Mohun Bagan is a famous football club from Kolkata, India. They have a long history and are one of the oldest football clubs in Asia.
East Bengal -: East Bengal is another well-known football club from Kolkata, India. They are rivals of Mohun Bagan and have a strong fan base.
Lucknow -: Lucknow is the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is known for its rich history and culture.
KD Singh Babu Stadium -: KD Singh Babu Stadium is a sports stadium in Lucknow, named after a famous Indian hockey player, KD Singh Babu.
AIFF -: AIFF stands for All India Football Federation. It is the governing body for football in India.
Government of Uttar Pradesh -: The Government of Uttar Pradesh is the governing authority for the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. They manage the state’s public services and development.
96,455 footballs -: 96,455 footballs is a large number of footballs that will be given to schools in Uttar Pradesh to encourage kids to play football.
Deggie Cardozo -: Deggie Cardozo is a football coach who supports the initiative to promote football in Uttar Pradesh.
Bino George -: Bino George is another football coach who also supports the effort to inspire young football talent in Uttar Pradesh.