No 'Super Football' on January 23 in Kolkata

JPR Events today informed the media that the 'Super Football' event planned for January 23 at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata has been postponed indefinitely. On that day former stars like Brazilians Cafu, Pele and others would have graced the occasion, but that is not to be. A new date would be announced soon, but the organisers still wanted to organise something and are therefore doing something in Sikkim.

Now on January 22 a Worldstar XI vs Sikkim United FC would take place at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, which will feature some of the players originally scheduled to make the Kolkata trip who will be joined by some former Indian stars. But the names of the players have not been announced. Some of them will also come to Kolkata to have a youth clinic with kids as part of the organisers commitment to develop and better football in the state of West Bengal.

The organisers JPR Events also regreted any inconvenience caused to the public as well as the FPAI (Football Players Association of India) for the postponement of the match.

Interestingly reports had appeared in the Indian media in recent days which asked the validity of the organisers claims of having certain players coming for the match, with no sponsorship sold plus tickets not out in the market.

One would hope the match in Gangtok takes place as per the latest announcement.

'Super Football' on January 23 in Kolkata

In their first venture into football JPR Events will be organising the 'Super Football' match on January 23, 2012 at the Saltlake Stadium with a number of former worldstars set to play in the City of Joy. Originally the match had been scheduled for January 15, but due to the Gangasagar Mela the local police could not provide cover, so the match had to be pushed back by a few days.

The Superstars XI would be led by Brazilian World Cup winning captain Cafu and the organisers are trying to get Brazilian legends Pele and Ronaldo to come and play in the match. Others former footballers taking part are Regi Blinker (Netherlands), Marcel Desailly (France), Paolo Maldini (Italy), Denilson (Brazil), Pierre van Hooijdonk (Netherlands), Ansgar Brinkmann (Germany), Winston Bogarde (Netherlands), Christian Karambeu (France), Roland Kopp (Germany), Ronald de Boer (Netherlands), Rene Higuita (Colombia) and Marcel Oerlemans (Netherlands). The Superstars XI will be coached by Dutch legend Ruud Gullit.

The Indian Dream XI would be announced later in the week at a press conference in the city. What is known is that Baichung Bhutia would led the Indian side which will be put together by the Football Players Association of India with Shyam Thapa to be the coach.

On the morning of the matchday the players from both sides would have a training session. It is slated for 08.00 to 10.00h with the venue to the announced later. The tickets for the match have been priced between Rs. 300 to 500 with the VIP tickets by invitation only.

Post-match there would be an auction dinner at the Hyatt Regency hotel's pool side, which would also be strictly by invitation only and then there would be an After Party at the Hyatt Banquets which would go on between 23.00h and 01.00h with tickets for the After Party priced at Rs. 3,000. Dutch DJ Afrojack would be at the turntables to entertain the crowds.

Member of the German rockband the Scorpions would also be in town for the event and could play in the Superstar XI and later in the evening they would auction a signed guitar of theirs.