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HAVANA. — The New York Cosmos will kick off a new era in sporting relations between the United States and Cuba today when they become the first professional American sports team in 16 years to play in the Communist-ruled island.

A blizzard of camera flashbulbs from local media and fans greeted a Cosmos delegation led by Brazilian legend Pele after the soccer team touched down late Sunday in Havana on a private charter flight.

Former Cosmos star Pele, who has battled a series of health problems in recent months, was mobbed by well-wishers before being whisked through security with the rest of the squad.

Today’s exhibition match against the Cuban national team at the Pedro Marrero Stadium reflects the rapidly thawing ties between the United States and Cuba.

Moves to normalize relations after a bitter five-decade schism began last year when the two nations announced a historic rapprochement.

The diplomatic milestone has already shown several signs of extending into the sporting arena. Cuban officials announced last week that the Baltimore Orioles baseball team – the last professional US team to play in Cuba back in 1999 – would return later this year to play against the Cuban national team.

Earlier in May, Cuba’s state-controlled television also took the unprecedented step of televising a Major League Baseball game involving a Cuban player, Kendrys Morales, in the Kansas City Royals game with the Texas Rangers.

It was the first time Cuba had screened a match involving one of its legion of MLB players, who are, officially at least, barred from playing in the United States and often portrayed as “deserters.”

Planning for today’s match began earlier this year, when the Cosmos first sounded out officials in the US and Cuba about the possibility of organizing a game.

“It became pretty real pretty fast, and we had to just take the steps in good order and get everybody on board. Whether it was the State Department, Justice Department, White House,” Cosmos chief executive Erik Stover said.

“We went down (to Washington), very quietly, and they were immediately supportive,” Stover added. — AFP.