In a country where gully cricket, and not gully football, is the common scene, cricket takes the backseat to football during the Football World Cup 2010.
But there's a dilemma here — does an Indian support teams of other countries or popular players? As a sports commentator recently wrote, India may be light years away from participating in the World Cup finals, but it attracts more viewers than much of Europe.
Indians will root for a rainbow of teams from traditional powerhouses Brazil and Argentina to England and Spain, thanks to the fan following the football leagues of these countries draw in urban India.
Arun, an IT professional says, “I have always followed the Euro championships and the World Cup.
“I got hooked to the Premiership and the Champions league about four years ago and have been following it keenly. I support England primarily because I enjoy watching Gerrard and Rooney play.”
He adds that the fact that India does not participate in the tournament helps you back your favourite players. “I want them to do well and support their teams as well.” Raman has been a passionate supporter of the Argentina team since the 80's. “Maradona is my god ever since I started following football. I grew up watching the Argentinean team and have supported them in every World Cup. I watch the EPL and want players like Rooney and Gerrard to do well, but my team rules. It is like supporting India in the cricket World Cup.”
For some, like B.Com student Sandeep, this World Cup offers a rather peculiar problem.
“I have been following the World Cup for the previous three editions and have supported England. Now, being a Manchester United fan, I find it a bit difficult to support players from other Premiership sides like Chelsea and Arsenal playing in national colours.”
He adds, “You tend to back your favourite players from across the world in cricket's Indian Premier League, but go back to supporting the Indian team, once the tourney is finished. You tend to develop more loyalties to club players in the EPL, since it is played throughout the year.”
Many veteran football watchers feel that European teams have been overestimated in every World Cup because of the number of premiership players that swell the ranks of these teams.
“With the time difference and the lack of coverage by TV, South American players are not well known, unless they are roped in by the big clubs, like Messi who plays for Barcelona and Tavez, who is key in Manchester City's plan to sup with the top clubs at the premiership,” says Sudhakaran, a retired medical representative, who has watched football since the 1960s.
As the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet chugs along, aided by the loud sound of the vuvezulas and the buzz of the best players in action, it's just one happy occasion to cheer on. Who really wins doesn't matter, does it?
India isn't playing anyway!
