IANS/Kochi, Kerala
Hundreds of football fans gave legendary footballer Diego Maradona a rapturous welcome as he arrived in Kerala on a two-day visit.
Youngsters thronged both the Kochi and Kannur airports for a glimpse of the Argentine striker. Some had gathered at the airport even before dawn.
“I waited from 4am to see Maradona... It was a dream come true for me,” said a young fan in Kochi.
Maradona is visiting Kerala on an invitation from his industrialist friend Bobby Chemmanur.
The former Argentina captain flew by helicopter to Kannur where he will attend three functions today.
He returns to Dubai today evening.
Meanwhile in Kannur, 45-year-old Shabin Kumar is busy preparing a cake for Maradona’s 52nd birthday.
Even though his birthday falls only on October 30, Maradona, according to the organisers, has given the nod to them to celebrate his birthday today.
Five experts are working since Tuesday morning to prepare the cake which is in the shape of a football playground with a football placed right in the centre, Kumar said.
“Half the baking is over and we have to hand over the cake today at 8pm,” said Kumar, the owner of Sheen Bakery.
“The base of the cake is 5ft long and 3ft wide and it looks exactly like a football field. We are also baking a cake which will look just like the World Cup which he won.
“Certainly we are all excited because this is the first time we are catering to a renowned world personality,” Kumar added.
The cost of the cake is expected to be more than Rs20,000.