XtraTime Web Desk: East Bengal’s two foreign recruits Johny Acosta and Kashim Aidara have still not been able to return to their respective countries. Both Acosta and Aidara were supposed to leave Kolkata on June 11 along with the physical instructor Carlos Nodar. But due to the non availability of the ‘Bande Bharat’ flights of Air India, both footballers will now travel to their respective countries at a later date. While Kashim has been booked on a flight for June 13, Nodar will be leaving the city on June 17. As far as Costa Rican World Cupper Johny Acosta is concerned, there is no update yet.
The return journey of the two footballers along with Nodar is being taken care by East Bengal club. Quess, who was the erstwhile investors of the club, have shredded away the responsibilities since deciding to part ways with the Kolkata club.
The problem with Acosta is there are no direct flights from any Indian city to Costa Rica. So it was earlier decided that he would board a flight either on June 16 or 22. He was supposed to reach Washington DC from Kolkata via Mumbai. The central defender, who played in the last World Cup for Costa Rica against Brazil, was supposed to catch a connecting flight to San Jose’ from Washington DC. But the problem is, there are no connecting flights from Washington to San Jose’. As a result, it is not possible to keep him in the US capital for three or four days during the coronavirus pandemic. So the club authorities have not yet been able to arrange Johnny’s return tickets.
According to Acosta, “In spite of the salary problem I would have been more than happy to travel back to my country with Colado and Mario. I am not enjoying staying here away from my family. The reason being given is there is no tickets available. No one is taking responsibility. It is turning out to be a bit annoying and frustrating as well.”
Meanwhile, Kashim will fly from Kolkata to Delhi on June 13. The midfielder will spend a night in the capital and take a flight the following day to London. Nodar will catch a flight from Kolkata to Mumbai on June 17. He will spend the night there and fly to Frankfurt from Mumbai on the morning of June 19. He will next take a connecting flight to Madrid on the same day at 9pm.