Page 15 - English Tehelka Issue 12 - June 30, 2018

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup 2018:

Football fever grips

the globe

When Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri pleaded recently with Indian football fans to
support not just other prominent European clubs and nations but also the national football
team (though it is missing out on a football World Cup), the message was clear that football
fever in view of ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018 has gripped the globe, writes Manik ahuja

he FIFA World Cup 2018 World Cup would be the most en- The tournament promises to be
that has begun in Rus- gaged spectators but the passion quite engaging and worth watch-
sia generating a flurry would run riot even in non-partic- ing in view of the suspense that
of excitement is almost ipating countries. this time no single team is a clear haps be playing for the World Cup has not been the mass sport like The good news is that the young-
T certain to be the most Interestingly, the highest num- favourite to win the covted tro- for the last time, and it would be cricket. Unlike cricket, which was er generation is loving football and
viewed event in the history of ber of match tickets have been phy. Defending champions Ger- safe to say that the fates of their na- initially the preserve of the Brit- is poised to make India play at the
sports. For the host Russia, the tour- bought by the Americans who are many are still but of late have not tions rests on their able shoulders. ishers, football and hockey used FIFA World Cup in near future and
nament is an opportunity to show- not participating. India is among been performing to their potential. Ronaldo will be aiming for a repeat to be the games of masses. In the our ranking coming within the 100,
case itself to the world its potential the top 20 countries in ticket sales. World Cup’s favourite child, Bra- of Portugal’s shock Euro 2016 win, ninteenth century, plenty of non- is a testimony that we are on the
to hold such an event with perfec- Over one lakh fans from China, also zil, look rejuvenated but doubts and lead his seemingly ordinary white football clubs had sprung right track and we can pin hopes
tion . During previous two Football not part of the tournament, have remain about their recovery from group to glory. Likewise Argentina, up, including Mohun Bagan and on a golden feat. Private clubs are
World Cups held in 2010 and 2014 moved to Russia to see the tourna- the 7-1 hammering at the hands runners-up in 2014, seem to overly the Trades Challenge Club. Football opening up even in the country-
saw over 3.2 billion viewers glued to ment. That is clear proof of popular- of Germany in the semifinals depend on the magical Lionel Messi. and hockey had pan India appeal side speaking volumes of the foot-
their television sets for each World ity of football that trascends all bar- four years ago at home soil. Spain If Messi comes fully fired up, and is and Calcutta had become football’s ball mania gripping the length and
Cup. This means almost half of the riers and is gaining in momentum remains a force but are not as handed some support from his epicentre while a small village of breadth of the country. Corporate
humanity watched the mega event and appeal. good as the dominating cham - perplexingly underperforming but Sansarpur in Punjab had become sector is also pitching in to pro-
making football the truly global pions eight years ago. Spain has undeniably talented teammates, a nursery for hockey producing mote football while public sector
sport and the World Cup as the big- sacked its manager for signing on Argentina can be a force to be reck- olympians. India dominated in 1951 undertakings are recruiting foot-
gest sporting festival. Even though Interestingly, the as manager of Real Madrid, the club oned with. Argentina finished as and 1962 Asian Games and were ball players and galvanising the
our national team, ranks at number powerhouse, and it remains to be runner-ups at the 2014 World Cup, placed fourth at the 1956 Olym - sport. All said and done, it is time to
97 and is not part of this carnival, highest number of seen what effects this move bears and the 2015 and 2016 editions of pics. Whether it was lack of focus support the participating teams in
the football fever has engulfed the match tickets have on their performance. France and the Copa America and in the last by the sporting bodies or lackluster the true sportsmenship and savour
young and old alike. Belgium boast a plethora of tal - of those finals, Messi missed a pen- appeal of the powers that be, there- the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Globally, football fans would be been bought by the ent at all positions but the lack of alty in the shootout, after which he after, it was a steep decline.
riveted to a cocktail of euphoria and balance and experience remain announced his retirement but was The absence of private spon - The writer is a student at the DAV
gloom matching with the win or Americans who are problems. Europe or South Amer- persuaded to come back. Does Mes- sorship, the lack of corporate help College, Chandigarh, who played for
loss over the next one month dur- not participating. ica, the two continents who have si need a World Cup win to be con- would appear to be another cause. National School Games and Subroto
ing 64 matches. The players would always shared the World Cup trophy sidered among the best of all time Lack of infrastructure, failure of Cup Football Tournamnt named
be seen in action in Russia, which India is among the appear to be in contention. or his greatness has alrady been private sector backing led to non- after Indian Air Force Air Marshal
hosts the World Cup across 11 cit- top 20 countries in Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, established? nurturing of football talent in India. Subroto Mukerjee.
ies. It is not only that the fans of the widely regarded as the greatest The mega sporting event throws Cricket by contrast flourished and
32 teams participating teams in the ticket sales. players of the modern era may per- focus on India as to why football became almost a religion. letters@tehelka.com

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