FIFA World Cup mania grips Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Uninterrupted live TV coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and heavy monsoon rains forcing people to remain indoors means that football is now the only thing being discussed in soccer-crazy Kerala.

In the northern district of Malappuram, the names of certain villages have been re-christened as Brazil Nagar and Argentina Nagar, where intense rivalry has begun on who will win the cup this year.

“We decided to raise passions by painting an autorickshaw in the colours of the Argentinean jersey. Our rivals soon brought out an autorickshaw painted like the Brazilian jersey,” said Sabeer Mohammed from Malappuram.

Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who has just returned from a foreign holiday, hopes to watch the matches on his 3G iPad.

“I have quite a few favourites to win the cup - it could well be Spain, Italy or any of the South American teams but an African delight should not be ruled out either,” he said.

Jibbin Jacob, who owns an electronic showroom in Kottayam, is happy as sales of television sets have picked up because of the soccer World Cup after a lull.

“I had heavily invested in fresh stocks and for some time I thought I would end up in losses. But with ESPN sports channel (that has earned the telecast rights for the World Cup) being aired now, things are looking better and sales have picked up considerably,” he said.

ESPN last year blocked its services to the main cable operator in the state.

The heavy monsoon rains have also come as a blessing in disguise as many prefer to remain indoors and be glued to their TV sets - watching football.

“As I am retired I saw my first full World Cup football match yesterday (Friday). If the rains are in store for the next few weeks, I will be glued to the TV set because the game is certainly interesting,” said former Christian priest Kurian Chacko, who has been briefed about the nuances of the game by his 16-year-old grandson.

And coming to the help of those who are unable to watch the match live, Technopark-based start up IT company Innoz Technologies has created a software such that those who do not wish to miss football scores can get to know live scores by sending an SMS.

“People have to send SMS “GYAN WORLDCUP” to 56161 to avail this service on their mobile. They will be charged as per operator rates. This service is currently available only in India,” said Deepak Ravindran, chief executive officer of Innoz.

Some hotels have also joined the football mania. Hotel Udaya Samudra in Kovalam is organising a food festival till the World Cup ends and its staff would be dressed in football jerseys.

Live football action can be seen on their giant screen. While watching the matches, one can have Argentinean, Brazilian or French grills besides Wayne Rooney Cranapple Cooler or Ronaldo Strawberry Margarita.

Former Indian football captain Xavier Pious said he expected Brazil to win this time.

“They are my all-time favourite, simply because the way they play. But a clearer picture will emerge once the first round matches are over,” said Pious, who is now an officer with the State Bank of India here.