Mad about football

The city is gripped by the football fever

Visakhapatnam is gripped by the football fever. Photo: K.R. Deepak

With the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the city is gripped by the football fever.

Even in the sweltering heat, youngsters in gaudy jerseys can be seen dribbling colourful balls at the football grounds in the city, rooting for their favourite players. If the sale in jerseys at retail sports outlets is something to go by, the response towards the World Cup has been overwhelming.

Hairstylists are busy giving the “right” cut to the football fans matching the styles of many international football players like Ronaldo and Neymar. Germany, Spain, Portugal and Brazil are among the top favourites of the fans here.

And if you think that football is just a passion for men, think again. The girls of the city are no less passionate and they have their own plans in place. “I am a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and I am not going to miss any of Portugal’s matches. I want to see Ronaldo lifting the cup,” says Geetika Kishore, a B.Tech student.

Joining in to celebrate the mood of the season, hotels in the city have promised big discounts and have set up big screens to catch all the live action. The Park is offering beverage promotions at Someplace Else and Aqua during World Cup 2014. Big screens will telecast live matches at Aqua by the poolside and all guests can enjoy 50 per cent discount on all beverages.

At Someplace Else, the matches will be shown live on a big screen TV and during match hours 50 per cent discount will be applicable.

Drive down to Vihar at Rushikonda to watch the matches at its open air restaurant called Sea Decks. A 20 per cent discount on food and on cocktails and mocktails during the match hours is being offered. Euphoria is offering 20 per cent discount on food and liquor during match hours and up to 60 per cent discount at Pappi Dhaba on liquor. The restaurant has also introduced sea food like tandoori vanjaram, tiger prawns, lobsters, crab and korameenu for the season. Celebrating the mood, other hotels like Hotel Novotel have also come up with enticing offers to attract football fans.