Mithun, Sourav star in charity football match

Barasat, West Bengal:

Two of Bengal's icons, Sourav Ganguly and Mithun Chakraborty, accompanied by a host of film and tv artistes on Sunday took part in a charity football match to raise Rs 30 lakh for Cyclone Aila victims here in North 24-Parganas district.

'Mithun & Co' beat 'Sourav & Co' 4-2 (1-1 at regular time) through a tie-breaker in the match, which was seen by a 20,000 strong crowd eager to witness their stars in action. The excitement at Vidyasagar stadium was palpable as people lined up on both sides of the road leading to the stadium.

The organisers -- West Bengal Motion Pictures Artists' Forum -- promised to give Rs 30 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, while state Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty, who was also a spectator, promised to chip in with Rs 10 lakh to the funds raised from the match.

The match began with a one-minute silence for the victims of the devastating cyclone that hit West Bengal on May 25.

Once film star Mithun and cricket icon Ganguly entered the field, there was deafening applause and in response the actor enthralled the crowd with his typical jigs with players of both the sides forming a circle joining in unison.