Kannur (Kerala), Oct 23 (IANS): Forty-five-year-old Shabin Kumar is extremely busy preparing the birthday cake for footballing legend Diego Maradona's 52nd birthday.

Maradona is visiting Kerala on an invitation from his industrialist friend Bobby Chemmanur.

Even though Maradona's birthday falls only on the 30th of this month, he, according to the organisers, has given the nod to them to celebrate his birthday Wednesday.

Five experts are working since Tuesday morning to prepare the cake which is in the shape of a football playground with a football placed right in the centre, said Kumar to IANS.

"Half the baking is over and we have to hand over the cake today at 8 p.m.," said Kumar, the owner of Sheen Bakery.

The former Argentina captain flew in aboard a helicopter to Kannur where he will attend three functions Wednesday.

"The base of the cake is five feet long and three feet wide and it looks exactly like a football field. We are also baking a cake which will look just like the world cup which he won.

"Certainly we are all excited because this is the first time we are catering to a renowned world personality," added Kumar.

The cost of the cake is expected to be more than Rs.20,000.