BANGALORE, June 11: A galaxy of the super stars of world sports including Diego Maradona and Steffi Graf are expected to take part in the International Sports Goods, Health and Fitness Exhibition scheduled to be held at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from December 4 to 7.

The exhibition is organised by Mecpro Expositions, one of the leaders in the country's sports goods and fitness industry, in association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sports Goods Exports Council (SGEC) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The legendary Argentine soccer hero and the German tennis superstar have already confirmed their participation in the four-day global event according to a spokesman of the organisers. ``Even the rooms have already been booked for the visiting stars,'' he said. Mecpro had earlier organised the maiden Indian tour the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) stars.

Apart from Maradona and Graf, the entire Indian cricket team and a few cricketers from abroad including England's Ian Botham, Vivian Richards and Ian Chappell have confirmed their presence at the inauguration of the event. Besides, the organisers have also been trying to rope in the basketball legend `Magic' Johnson, International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch and the Fifa president Joao Havelange, with the help of their sponsors, which include some of world's renowned sports goods manufacturers.

Mecpro will also honour athlete P T Usha, in recognition of her achievements at the national and international levels. A number of seminars will also be conducted as part of the exhibition.

The organisers expects the event to attract more than 300 participants from all over the world. ``It would not just be a venue for trade and transactions, but a significant opportunity for the Indian entrepreneurs to move closer to the biggest international names in the industry,'' said the spokesman.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.