FOOTBALL AND INDIA: AN INTERESTING RELATIONSHIP
: Football
An interesting relationship
Introduction
As the whole world cheers for the finals of the FIFA World Cup happening in Moscow on 15th of July
I cannot help but be astonished and surprised as how this modest game has taken over this world in so many ways.
This game has done much more than it was imagined it could.It has had humble beginnings and a lot of history before becoming popular to this level.This post I would be writing about football its history and the affect it has had on the world.
Current status-
It is played by 250 million players in across 200 countries making it the most popular sport currently in the world.
Lionel Messi an Argentine football player receives a salary of 4 crore euros.
The official song for the 2010 world cup- waka waka had 1.9 billion views and it was sung by the famous Colombian singer Shakira.
A few more facts and incidences have proved that more than a sport it has become an industry in the 20th century.
The people who have talent in this game it helps them to earn every possible thing including respect.
It is played by 250 million players in across 200 countries making it the most popular sport currently in the world.
Lionel Messi an Argentine football player receives a salary of 4 crore euros.
The official song for the 2010 world cup- waka waka had 1.9 billion views and it was sung by the famous Colombian singer Shakira.
A few more facts and incidences have proved that more than a sport it has become an industry in the 20th century.
The people who have talent in this game it helps them to earn every possible thing including respect.
Soccer and the poor
In Africa too,where poverty and other problems are high,football acts as an oasis in a desert.Many people forget their problems and prefer to have a few moments of fun ,regardless of their age.In 2010 when the championship was hosted in south Africa,the whole continent was abuzz and excited to host this game and were very enthusiastic.
This is one of the beautiful effects of the game.
Effects Soccer has had outside its origin
Particularly in South America where a lot of Spanish and Portuguese influence is evident,Football gained popularity right from its beginning.Undoubtedly,Football was extremely patronised,something similar to how the British encouraged cricket in their own colonies.Brazil and Argentina which are neighbouring countries are arch-rivals in this sport. These countries have produced two legends which would be unforgettable in the history of football.Also this flourished in its region of origin i.e Europe and went till the Far East.Till date football is been looked upon as a national culture which bonds the citizens.
Brazil
The black pearl-Pele
This man has won the hearts of many in the whole world as is regarded as the best footballer of all time.
Argentina
The Golden Boy- Diego Maradona- A retired Argentine Football sensation,He is Pele's contemporary.
Football in India
Football has been patronised in states like West Bengal,Kerala and rest of North-East India.
There have been several initiatives by the government and major office-holders like:
Subroto Cup- Started by the "Father of the Indian Air Force"Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee who was the first Indian to command the IAF,He was an avid football fan.Since 1960,this tournament is held every year for schoolchildren and is a very good initiative taken to promote this sport.
Pele has also been a chief guest for this tournament in 2015.
Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee-Father of the Indian air force.He was the founding member of the air when it was started in 1932.
In the Indian military also football is patronised and has produced many capable and aspiring
players .
Durand cup is a free to watch tournament in India since 1888.
There have been a lot of local tournaments but it seems that people still prefer to stick to cricket which is the most popular sport in our nations.
A few private tournaments like the ISL and Hero ISL have also been around for sometime but still it hasn't garnered much attention.
These have a similar team ownership model where popular businessmen and celebrities own teams.
This world cup:2018
This world cup was well-received by Kerala where football fans did many unimaginable things like painting their houses,vehicles and putting up massive hoardings.Throughout India,Pubs and restaurants took advantage of this madness by creating new schemes and also many changed their decor like:
A house in Kerala,showing their "doosri country".
Meri Doosri country campaigns
India has always taken a backseat when it comes to making ad campaigns concerning soccer.
If "let's football" which was the slogan of a popular football tournament was modified and made into something similar for cricket,the program would have been heavily criticised, but still the tournament would have still had a satisfactory number of people attending the match as our love for cricket has no bounds.
In May this year a campaign by Sony Pictures Network launched an impressive ad campaign.It asked the watchers what their "doosri country" was?
France,Spain,Argentina,Brazil,Belgium were some of the popular "Doosri countries"
This might have been very good attempt to increase viewers on their channel but it highlighted a very sad situation:
No matter how good is the player in a sport like hockey or football, he and his team would never be appreciated to a great extent.
Attempts are failing
The Indian national football team captain Sunil Chetri had to take things in his hands due to the unpopularity and low views and had to plead to all the fans of Cristiano Ronaldo,Neymar Jr and Paul Pogba by saying-"abuse us,criticise us but please come to watch the Indian national team play".
It seems that after this statement people have really started giving football more attention as many celebrities started supporting him and all the tickets for India's matches have been sold out .
Is this change just for a few days or months or substantial or will football will meet the same fate as Hockey in our country,the future cannot be predicted.
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