IMPHAL, June 12: The football fever has
reached its zenith in the State with football
craze fans ready to embrace the biggest
sporting event of the world – the FIFA
World Cup, 2014, Brazil.
Dwelling into this aspect IFP learnt that the
biggest concerned amongst the football
enthusiasts so far is the erratic power
supply in the State.
Even as the pre-paid system is catered to
only limited consumers within some areas
of Imphal the football craze people of the
state are undeterred and readied
themselves to prepare for the worst.
Ratan Athokpam, proprietor of Eastern
Sporting Shop (dealing with sports items),
revealed that he had purchased a generator
exclusively for the football’s biggest event.
The eagerness was very apparently when he
told IFP that he also purchased a TATA Sky
set top box as back-up plan with no
intention to miss a single moment.
Unlike, Ratan, others who cannot afford
the luxury of generation or satellite
channels, and have to be content with only
the local cable networks have chart out
plans by forming groups in their locality to
watch the extravaganza at a friend’s house
or at a neighbour’s.
Y Ranjit, a government employee from
Singjamei Heirangoithong, suggested that
the government should atleast provide
electricity during the world cup matches.
“Manipur is a home to hordes of noted
football players representing the country
even in the international arena, so it would
be wise for the Government to give full
access to view the matches”, he continued.
More interesting is that these groupies,
which have become a common
phenomenon during world cup event,
would host a feast or party, in wait of the
game.
The degree of the fever apparently is quite
high with local football tournaments taking
place in every pocket of the State and fans
in some places putting up posters of their
favourite teams.
To be précised one can see such posters in
the heart of Imphal, at Kakhulong kabui
locality.
Coming to fans choice, Brazil still remains
the top choice of the people.
8 out of ten fans prefer Brazil and are
confident that the host would lift the
coveted trophy.
Some choose the team for being the
spiritual home of the beautiful game while
some expected a lot from their star players
like 22 year old Neymar (striker) and Oscar
(mid-fielder or the so called game maker).
Others still merely believe in the good old
Brazilian squad and all time favourite of
the world.
Chaoba, panel coach of All Manipur
Football Association (AMFA), is of the
opinion that Brazilian squad are full of
young players and lot to offer. The second
favourite is the defending champion team
Spain.
While many expressed their opinions based
on their favourite and strategies of the
particular team, but it remains to be seen
as anything can happen.
reached its zenith in the State with football
craze fans ready to embrace the biggest
sporting event of the world – the FIFA
World Cup, 2014, Brazil.
Dwelling into this aspect IFP learnt that the
biggest concerned amongst the football
enthusiasts so far is the erratic power
supply in the State.
Even as the pre-paid system is catered to
only limited consumers within some areas
of Imphal the football craze people of the
state are undeterred and readied
themselves to prepare for the worst.
Ratan Athokpam, proprietor of Eastern
Sporting Shop (dealing with sports items),
revealed that he had purchased a generator
exclusively for the football’s biggest event.
The eagerness was very apparently when he
told IFP that he also purchased a TATA Sky
set top box as back-up plan with no
intention to miss a single moment.
Unlike, Ratan, others who cannot afford
the luxury of generation or satellite
channels, and have to be content with only
the local cable networks have chart out
plans by forming groups in their locality to
watch the extravaganza at a friend’s house
or at a neighbour’s.
Y Ranjit, a government employee from
Singjamei Heirangoithong, suggested that
the government should atleast provide
electricity during the world cup matches.
“Manipur is a home to hordes of noted
football players representing the country
even in the international arena, so it would
be wise for the Government to give full
access to view the matches”, he continued.
More interesting is that these groupies,
which have become a common
phenomenon during world cup event,
would host a feast or party, in wait of the
game.
The degree of the fever apparently is quite
high with local football tournaments taking
place in every pocket of the State and fans
in some places putting up posters of their
favourite teams.
To be précised one can see such posters in
the heart of Imphal, at Kakhulong kabui
locality.
Coming to fans choice, Brazil still remains
the top choice of the people.
8 out of ten fans prefer Brazil and are
confident that the host would lift the
coveted trophy.
Some choose the team for being the
spiritual home of the beautiful game while
some expected a lot from their star players
like 22 year old Neymar (striker) and Oscar
(mid-fielder or the so called game maker).
Others still merely believe in the good old
Brazilian squad and all time favourite of
the world.
Chaoba, panel coach of All Manipur
Football Association (AMFA), is of the
opinion that Brazilian squad are full of
young players and lot to offer. The second
favourite is the defending champion team
Spain.
While many expressed their opinions based
on their favourite and strategies of the
particular team, but it remains to be seen
as anything can happen.
