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A tryst with legendary footballer Pele

Simply Kolkata attends an exclusive interaction between legendary footballer Pele and the students of NSHM Knowledge Campus.

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Pele
Pele (Picture courtesy: Simply Kolkata)

What would Durga Puja and football crazy Kolkata go in a tizzy over-Mahalaya or a visit from football's greatest legend, Pele?

On a day when Kolkata indulges in a siesta after having woken up at the crack of dawn to listen to Mahisasurmardini on the radio, 5,000 students and teachers were running helter skelter, preparing for a visit from the most successful league goal scorer in the world. "We called it the communicable Pele disease. It was like all of us had Pele fever," says management student Anandita Das, 23.

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Students climbed windows, sneaked onto the roof tops and swarmed the open-air sitting area, while neighbouring residents clambered on sloping rooftops for a view of the footballer. Anchor Mir provided running commentary over Pele's entry-"Pele has entered BL Saha Road", "Pele's convoy is at the gate" and finally, "Pele is walking down the covered lane as we speak", When the 75-year-old walked haltingly on the stage wearing a powder blue safari suit the crowd went wild.

One would think that for the premier league-watching youngsters, Pele would be just another old sports hero. But with the questions that followed it seemed like Kolkata would forever revere the footballer.

"I come from a family of Mohun Bagan supporters and my father had watched Pele in Eden Gardens in 1977. So it was a big deal for me. They were very proud that I asked him a question and he answered with such patience," says Aniruddha Ghosh, 22, a student of pharmaceutical technology. For elated Kolkatans, Pele's arrival brought another reason for celebration during the festive season.

Question of the Day
Q: When do you think we will see an African or an Asian nation play the world cup? What do we lack?

Pele: The team that wins the world cup is not necessarily the best team or the most famous team. It is the matter of a moment, of the condition of the national team or the country's condition. Whether you win or lose, it depends on God. You can't decide. All you can do is play good football.

I'm sure your country and other countries too have good talent. They might need experience, they might need exposure to play good football. But ultimately God is going to decide. Take my country for instance. I come from a five-time world cup winning football country. I won three of them. But never in my own country. So it is not in your hands. All you have to do is keep the good work going.