Brazil of Chennai is all kicked

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With Euro 2012, the biggest event after World Cup, in knockout stage, football fever has reached a high point in Vyasarpadi, called Brazil of Chennai.

For teens of Kalyana-puram in Vyasarpadi, Ger-man striker Lukas Podolski and Andriy Shevchenko of Ukraine are “local” names. Such is the familiarity with and passion for the game.

The economically hamstrung football crazy teens are now planning to hire a giant LCD screen to exhibit Euro action in their humble backyard.

“My support is for Portugal since my second favourite player is Ronaldo,” said Ajith, a class 7 student and a diehard Messi fan, watching live streaming in a small room at Vyasarpadi with fellow teens Tuesday midnight.

The sports channel airing the tournament is not available in their area and some of the teens go to a friend’s place to watch matches.

A few others get into a huddle at the office of SCSTEDS, an organisation working for the uplift of slum children that trains kids in football.

The children in the area have developed a passion for the working class game, thanks to SCSTEDS efforts. The SCSTEDS team has now qualified to rub shoulders with the likes of Customs and ICF in senior division league. Two of its players are also part of the national under-19 team.

“Since we could not afford to exhibit all matches, we have decided to show at least the finals,” said Umapathy and his brother Thangaraj of SCSTEDS, who train the bare-footed kids.

Ajith and friends have applied for admission in a Royapettah school merely because it gives priority to football.

“While most schools train students in cricket, Wesley School prioritises football. Over 50 students from our area are studying there,” said G. Balachandar, a class 9 student who is among the dozens of kids training daily to secure a place in the national team one day.

“Only the affluent can afford cricket coaching but even the impoverished can play football,” he added.