Kolkata set to play host to Central Español FC

Kolkata: In another bonanza for the football-crazy state, the West Bengal Sports Council is all set to bring Uruguayan Primera División Club, Central Español FC, to play a pre-season tournament with city giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan next month.

"We had a talk with the Uruguayan club officials yesterday and they were very much interested to play a tournament here," Sports Minister Madan Mitra said. Asked whether they have informed the All India Football Federation about it, Mitra said: "They are the parent organisation. How can this happen without their permission? We will keep everybody in the loop." The Montevideo-based Primera Division club feature some players from the national side and the pre-season tournament is likely to be named Bengal Cup from August 7-17. It`s been decided that East Bengal will take on Central Español FC at Siliguri while Mohun Bagan will face the Uruguayan Club at the Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat. The season`s first derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan as well as the final may take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake. PTI