The FIFA World Cup 2018 is off to a flying start with Russia bagging five goals against Saudi Arabia. While fans will find a way to connect for ‘bigger’ fixtures, it’s rather surprising not a single hotel or bar is trying to ride on the World Cup fever in the city. There has been no promotion done around World Cup 2018. But all the places in the city screened the opening game with music in the background. One place even had live music.
While football is nowhere as popular as cricket in Visakhapatnam, there is no reason to believe hotels and bars wouldn’t ride the month long FIFA World Cup fever.
Straight from the fans
Akhilesh B, an event organiser says, “The hotels and bars are still sceptical of the demand for regular football screening and that’s why most of them haven’t applied for a licence to screen the World Cup. There is a definite need to improve the football scene in Visakhapatnam. Last month, I organised the screening of Champions League’s final - about 30 people showed up. If it was Hyderabad or Bengaluru, it would easily be 200 people.” Akhilesh is going to root for Portugal, Spain and Brazil over the month-long football extravaganza.
RK Rao, a corporate executive, was enjoying the opening with his friends. “A decade ago, it felt football was gaining popularity but Indian Premier League’s success quashed that wave. I feel many people in the city still feel football isn’t a gentleman’s sport and look down upon it. But little do they know, top delegates visit the stadium to watch their country play.” He wants Brazil to lift the cup for the sixth time in 2018.
Ria Khaja from West Indies, who is visiting her family, says, “West Indies has a huge football following so much so that when Trinidad and Tobago’s football team qualified for 2006 FIFA World Cup people supported their neighbouring country.” Khaja is supporting Brazil in this world cup.
Sreedhar Vedula, who has stayed in the city since the last 18 years, says, “I’m yet to find a hardcore football fan.” Vedula, a Lionel Messi fan, feels Argentina missed the chance last time and maybe this year they can win.
So, as a football fan what will you do? Call your favourite café or bar to screen football matches or set up your own screening? Either way, the game will not get the support it needs without the solidarity of fans.