Ban or no ban, cockfights have gone online in the Godavari region ahead of Sankranti festival.
The traditional sport that has been controversial for the past many years have taken the web portal route, thanks to the entry of tech-savvy bookies in a big way.
The OLX (online exchange), an online classifieds offering a platform for transaction of second hand cars, two-wheelers and real estate business, has now diversified into e-trade of roosters.
Breeders based out of Vijayawada, Chennai and other far-off places, are finding this a potential medium to reach out to their clientele, with all information about their roosters, especially the ‘fighting traits’.
In an advertisement posted on the OLX website, a breeder from Vijayawada has offered ‘ready-made’ cocks for fights with their pictures in varying colours with a range of strains.
The price of each rooster ranges between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 19,000 depending on fur colour, shape of tail, strength of legs, ability to swim and strike at the enemy.
The advertisement invites buyers to meet a particular seller at a designated ‘safe location’.
The breeders take almost a year to groom the birds for fights by making them swim in streams for physical fitness, feed them nutritious almond, cashew and even meat.
The birds are being trained during mock fights before being let into the real ones.
Now, buyers can select the bird of their choice at a click of the mouse, without having to wait for such ordeals, thanks to the online platforms. Another latest medium helping the otherwise rustic rural sport is WhatsApp messenger, a regular feature in smart phones.
The app allows betters to receive messages on the location and timing of cockfights upon payment of Rs. 10,000 each as ‘admission fee’.
This trend is said to be gaining momentum in Bhimavaram, Palacole and Dwaraka Tirumala .
Sources said the e-mode of betting is taking place where payments are accepted through credit cards and debit cards.
