Kerala is one of those few states in India where the passion for Football undermines Cricket, which is the more popular sport in the country. Although India doesn’t feature in the ongoing Fifa World Cup, that doesn’t deter the spirits of the football crazy land, as year after year they passionately follow the game and extend their support to their favourite teams. If you want to get a shot of what it actually feels like, pay a visit to Mekkad near Angamaly, about 40 kilometres from Kochi.
Hours before the kick off the place had multiple road shows with loud music and dancing at every junction. Baijin Abraham, one such fan says when the world shrinks to the size of a football, one cannot stand aloof from it.
At every corner of the place you can see banners and posters, on match time the streets are mostly empty as people are seated in front of their television sets. A home of Angamaly resident, Salu paul had his entire home painted in the colours of Brazil. His home has virtually turned itself to a fan club, with huge screens installed for watching matched. He has been doing this for the last four world cups. His wife Lathi wears a Saree with Brazil Insignia. Their daughters Evena(14) and Nayana(10) are amateur players.
Last year about 300 people watched match at his time and the number has gone up this year. His house is literally like a festival ground when matches happen. Divided by teams, but united by the spirit of football, Mekkad is here enthusiastically following the Fifa world cup 2018
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