Posts tagged football
Cape Town Football Debut

Whilst on holiday in Cape Town a couple of years ago, I was keen to experience as much of South African culture as possible. Sitting in the sun-kissed garden of a Constantia vineyard, it was our sommelier who expressed his, and clearly his nation's, favouritism for the egg shaped ball. It seemed football has traditionally been the poor relation, playing third fiddle to rugby and cricket in the hearts of the many South African sports fans.

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Freestyle Football

He introduced himself as Mario, and after a few minutes of speaking, it transpired that he was a freelance footballer based here in Mumbai. I was intrigued to find out more, and Mario kindly invited me to join him and a friend the following day for practice at a nearby ground. Curious to discover more about the origins of Mario’s freestyle career, and to learn about where this form of the game fits into Indian football culture, the next day I was up and at it, en route to Vile Parle to find out more.

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Forza India

After experiencing top flight Indian football (witnessing Mumbai City FC's Friday night ISL victory), I was curious to find about more about the other end of the spectrum - the grassroots. It’s clear that despite the recent growth and increased interest in the domestic game, to truly develop and scale the impact football has in India will be a lengthy, generational task.

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The Maha Derby

After a few days of settling into Mumbai life, it wasn’t long before I was chomping at the bit to see some football. The Indian Super League (ISL) season began just a few weeks ago, and this seemed the perfect chance to get a taste of what the elite form of the game looks and feels like here.

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Sleeping Giant

Keen to dig deeper into why India holds this status, and more importantly, what can be done to awaken the giant from its slumber, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Anjali Shah from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

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Not enough footballs

I instantly made the comparison with cricket, wondering how another sport (arguably more complicated and less accessible than football), had managed to transcend the layers of Indian society to become the powerhouse it is today. This was clearly a familiar question to Rohit and Mangesh, who simultaneously smiled and sighed before launching into their responses.

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Is there a game on?

The Cooperage Ground is nestled in amongst parks and expensive property in the heart of ‘town’, and the view from its sizeable (but empty) bleachers was a fascinating one. Architecturally, Colaba itself was heavily influenced by the British, with a walk around the local ‘Oval Park’ reminding me more of Oxford or Cambridge than India. Games of schoolboy cricket were taking place as Victorian clock towers and school buildings lined the park’s perimeter. Games of schoolboy cricket, I might add, with far more spectators than joined me in the stands for the MDFA fixture.

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What's the story?

Growing up in England, it was impossible to ignore the impact that football has across so many layers of culture and society. I was always intrigued not only by the stars, goals and league tables of the Premier League, but also by the stories and experiences of lower league and grassroots football, and their eccentric and ritualistic nature.

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Faking it

This quest for an Indian football shirt did not go unnoticed by colleagues and friends. One suggested that whilst local football culture in Mumbai was only just emerging, in the state of Goa it was a thriving force. My friend was himself Goan in origin, and boasted a collection of over 10 FC Goa shirts of his own, one of which he kindly donated to me in the last week of my trip.

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