Kolkata: The Hub of Indian Football

One of the most well-known sports of Kolkata, West Bengal is Football. In fact the two most supported teams in our nation are from Kolkata. Those prominent teams are Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Both the teams are pitted against each other in the Kolkata derby.

The Kolkata city also provides space to one of the biggest stadium in India, the Salt Lake Stadium. It holds the capacity of 68,000 spectators. A record of 131,000 attendances was set in 1997 when East Bengal FC played a match with Mohun Bagan AC. The match was won by East Bengal FC with 4-1. Many international football personalities have glorified Kolkata with their visit. Also, in 1977 Mohun Bagan team played a friendly match against North American Soccer League club New York Cosmos. Julian Caminho visited Kolkata twice. He first visited in 1988 to play for East Bengal and then again in 2011.

The Kolkata city has produced many legends in football like Chuni Goswami (Padma Shri Awardee), Gostho Pal (Won IFA Shield), Krishanu Dey (Indian Maradona), etc.

By: Bhavna Sharma

Content: en.wikipedia.org