BENGALURU:World Cup fever has gripped the country, and Bengaluru is not far behind in getting in on this global event. Individuals, corporate houses, neighbourhoods and gated communities – everyone has found one way or another to become a part of the frenzy.
Take Chaitanya Ramakant, who works for a media firm in the city. Him and a few of his colleagues who are big on football fans have been extremely excited since the World Cup began. “We have started this game called ‘sweepstakes’ in office. It’s a kind of lottery where all the 32 teams are chosen based on a raffle. The person with the team that wins the tournament will get a cash prize. Each ticket is being sold for around ` 100. There will be cash prizes for the runners-up and second runners-up as well,” says Chaitanya. Although most of his colleagues are not into football fans, he believes that the game is bound to get them interested. “Even if someone just wants to know where their team is placed, just out of curiosity, I think they end up getting interested in the game,” adds Chaitanya. Besides sweepstakes, Chaitanya and his colleagues are also doing small-scale betting. “This one will be based on each game in the tournament,” he adds.
At SAP Labs India, match screenings have been organised. Chandra Aggarwal, a developer who calls himself a sports enthusiasts, says “World Cup fever had taken over at his company with match screenings since June 17.”Harish M is from a retail MNC, where he says fantasy football leagues are a popular pastime during the World Cup among his colleagues. A person creates a team with his/her own players. Then, depending on the nature of the game and the performances of the players in the tournament, a person could get a chance to earn some cash.
Fever reaches apartments, localities too
Not only at companies, even apartment complexes are organizing their own match screenings and engaging in other World Cup activities. In Hennur for example, The Golden Apartment complex with around 380 residents, had asked for screens to be set up in the complex’s auditorium. Capt Sunny PA, manager at the apartment complex, says, “We had to arrange for the screening as the demand was so high. We have a party hall here and have made arrangements. Residents watch the matches all night. Many people, especially the children, are crazy about football and the World Cup.” He also says that footballs have been bought for the children so that they can better skills during the day and watch the tournament in the evenings.
One of the hotspots for football in the city, Gowthampuram, is known to have an atmosphere of excitement during the World Cup. Before the start of this World Cup, the statue of the Brazilian footballer Pele and a figure of a 10 feet ball were erected a while ago in the locality, and have been decorated. Sarvana, former professional footballer who used to play for BSNL and a resident of the area, says, “We have also made arrangements to screen matches, and will be installing the same in our main ground. We are mostly fans of Brazil and make it a point to screen Brazil matches.”
TV, LCD rentals shoot up
A number of individuals are renting out TVs and LCD screens to be able to enjoy the matches with friends and family. One such person is 36-year-old Thankamani Raghunathan, who works with a private firm. He rented a 40-inch TV a week ahead of the match. “It’s more fun to watch the game on a large screen and with friends over,” says Thankamani, adding that he is part of football WhatsApp groups, and keeps his house open for fans who want to watch matches.Harsh Dhand, founder of RentSher, a renting platform, says, “Orders for renting TVs and screens from corporates and individuals has shot up since the World Cup began.”
Jerseys selling like hot cakes
The sale of football jerseys has also boomed. Muhammad Iqbal, a street vendor says, “About 25 people in the age group of 20 to 30 visit the shop on a daily basis to buy jerseys of popular players.”
Adith Nair, a 28-year-old banker, says “Last year’s jerseys can’t be used every year. Being a Brazil fan since childhood, I support Neymar. So, I use the number 10 jersey.”