This will be the first time Mohun Bagan will be playing in Lucknow and the Kolkata derby is the biggest match in Indian football which highlights AIFF\u2019s efforts to increase fan following in the state.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey spoke on the efforts made to make this match possible and what is in store for the future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cUttar Pradesh is the most populated state in the country and football is a must here. I came to the stadium 19 days back and saw the state of the ground, stadium and the gate but now everything has changed. I am happy with these efforts and I am glad that the youth will see the match and hopefully get inspired to play football,\u201d said Kalyan to IANS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen we watch the match here we will be observing the occasion, the crowd and the response and depending on that we will take a call for the future,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are two of the fiercest rivals in football. This will be the first time these two teams face each other in the new footballing season after their group stage match at the 2024 Durand Cup was canceled citing security reasons due to a state of unrest in the city of Kolkata.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen we watch the match here we will be observing the occasion, the crowd and the response and depending on that we will take a call for the future,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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