Kahn disappoints his little fans

KOLKATA: Ten-year-old Ritam Bakshi was ecstatic at the prospect of meeting the famous German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn at his hospital bed. When the Bayern munich players came, the one man he wanted to have at least a glimpse of was not there. A big disappointment not only for Ritam , but also other young children undergoing treatment in the hospital.

Kahn was to come to the Peerless Hospital, but he was not among the small contingent that visited the children. 

Though disappointed, Ritam was happy to shake hands with Dutchman Mark Van Bommel, Argentinian Jose Ernesto Sosa and Brazilian Ze Roberto,

"I was waiting eagerly to see Kahn. I am disappointed but anyway Roberto and Van Bommel are also great players and I am lucky to shake hands with these great players," said Ritam.

The players visited the Nephrology department, the executive ward and the Sister Nivedita ward during their 50-minute stay at the hospital.

The players gave gifts and fruits to the children, who soaked in every minute of their meeting with the soccer greats.

Peerless officials later said the Bayern Munich team also presented their jersey and a ball autographed by all the players to the hospital as memento.

Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra also has a grouse against the visitors  as Bayern officials didn't show up for the inauguration of a souvenir shop at the club premises.

"We were told that Bayern would accommodate the programme in their itinerary," said another club official.

A Bayern Munich spokesman, however, claimed that the programme was never on their agenda.

"The visit to the Mohun Bagan tent was never part of our itinerary," said the Bayern spokesman.