Aiming big for the Asean Cup in Thailand next month, East Bengal appointed South African physical trainer Kevin Jackson while making elaborate arrangements for night practice and hiring five-star hotel suites for the month-long training, beginning June 1.

Jackson, whose name was referred to club coach Subhas Bhowmick by Indian cricket team physical trainer Adrian Le Roux, arrived in Kolkata on Friday morning and will take charge from June 1.

The Kolkata giants are the first Indian outfit to acquire a foreign trainer.

"We are trying to provide all necessary facilities as sought by the coach. The physical trainer will work along with him to tone up the players. We have a one month's contract with him," East Bengal football secretary Santosh Bhattacharjee said.

In addition to this, the club has approached a five-star hotel on the outskirts of the city for residential arrangements for the players as also availing facilities like gymnasium and swimming pool, he said, adding "we are also trying to organise practice matches before the tournament".

East Bengal, who won the seventh National Football League title in style, have also approached the state's sports department to allow them hold practice sessions under floodlights at the Salt Lake stadium.