Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Sleepless over soccer
|
Die-hard football fans have not been getting much sleep. We join those who balance their work with their soccer schedules
|
FANS' NIGHT OUT Catch the fun as the soccer fever grips the metros
When Beckham had to bend it in shame, and when Portugal fans sheepishly went: "Don't cry for me, Argentina," there was more than just their countrymen losing sleep. Many miles away from the action, in a country still waiting for its World Cup ticket, thousands of Hyderabadis were teleported to Germany every other night, thanks to their television sets.
A city reeling under insomnia has gone footloose over football, as fanatical followers of the game gang up like groupies, take sides, scream, yell and swear at their rivals, following up the match with intense discussions that would put ESPN to shame: Was Rooney's red card really fair? Why did Brazil lose despite its star players? Who would make it past the semis?
Mornings have not been more difficult. More, for those who were doing it just to see a snapshot of Beckham/Ronaldo and mates with the most-wanted piece of crockery, at the end of it all. "I was rooting for England. They had the best team going for them. What happened to them was an anti-climax. A nightmare," says Vijay, who runs a production company in Begumpet. "I had so much work to do and deadlines breathing down my neck. The loss just made it all the more difficult."
But there's always the virtual version of the game to change destiny. Vijay challenged his fellow-groupie Biren for a game online to change England's fortune. Biren played for Argentina and minutes later, Vijay had more reason to be depressed. He lost 2-0. It's a bad season for England, even virtually.
Birendra, a manager with a fitness centre, has been doing more than just the online version of the game. He and his friends got together at Mayajaal's Sports Club for a real game. "The game has brought a lot of life into me. Football makes you energetic, it keeps you on your feet and that kind of feeling creeps into your work. You want to achieve, fight back and reach your goal," says Biren. "My current favourites are Germany but I guess the underdogs Portugal will win." Ever since Brazil's loss, he's been walking around like a zombie.
With the semis happening on weekdays, there will be more sleep lost. A lot of people will not be seen at work due to mysterious ailments, some more will present innovative excuses for showing up late and some will just disappear because of depression.
SUDHISH KAMATH
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
