Spanish, August? Starspotting in Real time

The details: The ‘Fundacion’ was set up in 2001 at the initiative of the Savera Foundation, a charitable organisation known for its superstar patrons – rock singer Mick Jagger, actors Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, entertainer Ricky Martin, et al.

Coach at the academy, Kalipada Mondal, also spoke of the time a 12-member team of the club’s youngsters (made up of children from poor families) were invited to visit The Bernabeu. ‘‘We had everything ready. But the visit fell through in the end.’’

As a substitute, the boys received more than just their usual ration of football kit items, in the form of official club posters of their heroes. ‘‘All the boys have the posters in their houses now,’’ says Mondal.

Credentials and other obvious connections established, it was the turn for Carlos Duran, one of the chief executives of Savera, to raise the hopes a bit more. ‘‘I have been trying to contact Michael Rodriguez and Emilio Butragueno (officials at Real) for the past couple of days. Nothing is confirmed yet, but if Real is around, it seems like Kolkata’’, Duran says.

If Duran’s assurances are not enough, here’s what Himanshu Verma, senior executive with ESPN-Star Sports in Kolkata had to say: ‘‘Actually efforts are on for two matches, and not one.’’

The TV sports channel is also part of the troupe that is involved in the Real talks.

Real are expected to begin their Asian tour in the last week of July. China, Japan and Malaysia have already been confirmed as stops. According to reports trickling into the Kolkata sports circles, Real should hit India in mid-August. The likeliest dates, according to various people in the know, are August 12 and 14.

Also, unlike reports in various sections of the media a few days back, the tour might not entirely be for charity. A senior Kolkata-based sports journalist said, ‘‘It is more likely that Real Madrid is trying to capture the Asian market now. The Asian space has largely been the domain of Manchester United so far.’’ And India is fast developing into a Beckhamanic country also, aren’t they?

A question, however, is bound to come up. Exactly who are Real going to play if they come to India? Malaysian journalists must also be asking similar questions, but all we can offer is Baichung Bhutia. What exactly are we looking at – Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Beckham, Raul and Roberto Carlos taking pot-shots at Sangram Mukherjee in goal after being ‘challenged’ by Deepak Mondal, Surkumar Singh, Debjit Ghosh and Mahesh Gawli?

But that’s another story. One that shouldn’t be discussed till the Real bit is confirmed. And surely, if India can get Real, a half-decent opposition can be arranged.