Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to clash in Lucknow on September 2

LUCKNOW: Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, is gearing up to host traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal for the first time on September 2 as part of plans to promote football in Uttar Pradesh.

The derby will be played at the state capital’s K D Singh Babu Stadium.

State Sports Director R P Singh told PTI that preparations are on full swing for the high-voltage match that will be played under floodlights.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also expected to watch the proceedings and about 10,000 spectators are expected to throng the stadium.

As part of the preparations, the testing of the recently-installed flood lights in the stadium has started and dressing rooms and other facilities are being arranged for the players.

Singh said that All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey had met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow recently and expressed the need to promote football in Uttar Pradesh.