Bhaichung Bhutia

London: East Bengal, led by captain Sangram Mukherjee, was given a grand reception in the House of Commons in the presence of UK deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and a host of dignitaries this afternoon.

Later in the evening, the team called on prime minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street.

Hosted by Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, former minister for foreign and commonwealth and Europe, the reception held in the dining room of the House of Commons, was attended among others by sir G. K. Noon, leading NRI industrialist.

Speaking on the occasion, Prescott, who played for the British parliamentary football team and had the unique honour of beating the German parliamentary team, lauded the effort of Leicester City in inviting the East Bengal. He said it would go a long way in forging co-operation between the UK and India.

The deputy Prime Minister, who has visited India seven times during the last six years reassured Britain’s co-operation in working together with India in different spheres.

Vaz said Leicester City would play four matches with East Bengal as part of the club’s 120th anniversary celebrations.

“I am extremely delighted at LCFC efforts to involve all sections of the community and proud that with the tournament they will take Indo-British relationship to a new dimension,” he said. Vaz also expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in recent floods in Bangladesh.

Sir Noon lauded the effort of Vaz in organising the function to honour the East Bengal team and said it was in the true spirit of the pluralistic society of Britain where 300 languages are spoken. “I welcome the team on behalf of the Indian government here,” he said.

The team including star striker Bhaichung Bhutia will play the inaugural match against Leicester’s foxes on July 31 at the Walkers Stadium. Before that Spanish La Liga club Real Mallorca and Portuguese Supa Liga side Maritimo will play each other and the winners of the two games will lock horns in the final on August 1.

Leicester city is linked up with the East Bengal in a historic agreement agreed in February this year to help forge closer links with the Asian community in Leicestershire and abroad. (PTI)