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For the love of the game

World Cup fever gets translated into a unique tournament for soccer fanatics, finds NANDINI NAIR

SIMPLE JOY We may not have made it to the World Cup but soccer fans find their ways of experiencing the highs of the sport Photo: S. SUBRAMANIUM

Soccer. The single common passion of 200 people at a 45-yard floodlit field. Shorts and jerseys make footballers of all. But behind every sweaty shirt and tired brow there lurks a diplomat, a school kid or a businessman.

To convert a fervour into an experience, Brian Wells, Sanjeev Frank and Ashish organised a football tournament in anticipation of the World Cup. An informal email sent out a week ago brought together 20 teams.

The six-member teams will play 40-minute games at a scenic farmhouse in Green Avenue, Vasant Kunj till this Thursday. TACT India and Kingfisher have sponsored the event.

Soccer aficionado Bikram (Baichung Bhutia's manager in 2000) blesses the tournament; "This game has to be played in the true spirit of the game i.e. fun. Play hard. Play to win but also have fun." A grey-haired businessman Baldeep of the Media Team however quickly adds, "This game is anything but friendly."

The teams are playing for pride and not for a prize. The determination on field and the passion off field, however, shows that here soccer is a thing to be worshipped.

The Media team boasts of the highest average age. Rolling substitutions give the older players a fair chance against the robust youngsters. As Brian explains, "the older guys are just as good... but only in short bursts."

It's a passion

The Media team best articulates their worship. They play every Sunday, at the Nehru Stadium, irrespective of jobs, wives, weather or children.

The "golden rule", explains Baldeep is, "never limp home." Their devotion however is not ubiquitous. Sanchay Barua, a referee for the tournament, and former Santosh trophy player laments, `Dilli ke andar football mar raha hai.'

At this venue, however that doesn't seem true. Children of players cheer from the sidelines and a little daughter of a player, dressed in pink, says she even brought her whistle along. A young son looks wistfully at the field and wishes he could play as well. Other cheerleaders sit by the side sipping beer, eating momos while remaining alert to the game.

The opening match between Delhi United and the French team drew at 3-3. Delhi United consists of players from Tibet, Africa and Delhi. The star player, Shereb played for Tibet against Denmark, during a World Cup match for non-affiliated teams. The African players are reverentially called `Zulu warriors'.

As the sun dims and lights brighten, at this beautiful setting, a thrill and stillness settles on the field. A peacock crows in the distance. Ajit from India Today finally says, "It is not a matter of life or death. It is about a lot more." It is about soccer.

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