[1]Inspite of the recent string of losses, our loyalty towards cricket is unquestionable. But soccer fever has also been rising. And the Barclay’s football premiere league presently on has youngsters glued to the screen in excitement. And city pubs and restaurants are having a ball too.
“Football is a language spoken all over the world. It is one thing that connects people from different cultures and sects. We are not a sports bar and yet, we have about 50 to 60 people regularly coming for football matches. Recently, for the Manchester United versus Liverpool match of the league, we had a crazy crowd,” says Joy Singh, owner, Raasta-The Caribbean Lounge.
Special screens have been put at popular sports pubs like Vapour and Underdogg Sports Bar and Grill to air the ongoing matches. “Apart from the two large screens we have, we have put in an additional screen to air the football matches. Being a beer place that is popular among youngsters, most of them vouch for football,” says Mritunjai Tiwary, general manager, Vapour.
Football fans in the city swear by the pace of the game. “There is a certain momentum and pace across the 90 minutes of football which I feel is lacking in cricket. Football is like a heady concoction,” smiles Dhruv Batra, a football fan.
The enthusiasts are not limited to viewing of football. “It is heartening to find that in a nation obsessed with cricket, football finds many takers. We constantly look for talent and there is steady flow of such young enthusiasts,” says Vikram Rajkumar, vice commissioner, Edukick.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/underd1jpg-875