• It’s said the way to a Bengali’s heart is through the stomach. But the city of joy has a football connection when it comes to the culinary choice of Bengalis. Now, we all know of Bengali’s affinity bordering on maniacal obsession with fish or ‘Maacher Jhol’, but for a fanatical Mohun Bagan supporter, the sea food to celebrate the team’s win is lobster or prawns. But it’s nothing short of blasphemy if a East Bengal supporter is caught gorging on lobsters on a day his team win, for the delicacy to be savoured by a East Bengal aficionado is Hilsa. Little wonder, the market rate of the two swings like a pendulum depending on who’s winning on the field. Cricket in Kolkata  is now getting a rest, the municipal elections has seen the Left looking at what’s gone wrong at the grassroots and the city walls, which till recently, were adorned with political slogans are now getting a fresh coat of paint — this time around, with the flags and colours of favourite nations. The left, right combination has no political hues, it simply is relishing 90 minutes of pure adrenaline play.  

 

• And Kolkata always prepares for the  greatest spectacle in football during every FIFA WORLD CUP within every 4 years. A glimpse of the excitement comes with a visit to the Maidan market, located right opposite the majestic Oberoi Grand Hotel in Chowringhee, a suburb in Kolkata. This small but famous market is where every football fan in the city makes a beeline to, for flags, team jerseys and sporting paraphernalia. No prizes for the team colors or flags the city picks up the dozen, for Kolkata swears by the magical display of football of largely two nations — Brazil  and Argentina, though there is ample following for England, Spain and Germany. “World cup jerseys and football sales have trebled in the last one week. The demand is more for jerseys of Brazil, Argentina, Germany and England. Jerseys of star players like Ronaldinho, Messi , Neymar And Cr7  are selling like hot cakes. As the event progresses, there’s bound to be a new star player who will emerge. And we are ready to quickly manufacture and sell such jerseys as well,” says Salim Akhtar, who owns a sports gear shop in the Maidan Market.  

• So no one raised an eyebrow when Pele in 1970’s and Maradona in late 2008 chose Kolkata as the city to visit as a part of their visit to the subcontinent. And going by the reception, the city certainly didn’t disappoint. “Soccer has always been a big passion in Bengal and this time people are already into it even before the kick-off” . The local ‘paras’ (neighborhoods) are also doing their bit to add to the frenzy, with festoons and flags indicating their allegiance to the World Cup and TV sets in road corners to beam live matches and paint nearby walls with match fixtures. Even the corporate world in the city is joining in to celebrate the event. The city’s IT sector is organizing a five-a-side corporate football tournament where the likes of Cognizant, Videocon, PwC and Acclaris are likely to participate. This shows Like Being a Bengali , it’s not always about “Mach-Mishti-Doi” , we possess something far more greater that is the sheer Love for our beloved sport. From the rivalry of “Macha-Lote” to “Pele vs Maradona“, Kolkata and Bengali people are the closest you will ever come about knowing the real passionabout “Football” within our Sporting generations. 

 

• That’s what it means Being a Bengali Football Supporter. Even though you are not part of the team but as a supporter the Bengali’s feel like , “They belong in the Team” and that’s why sometimes it hits us hard whenever our Beloved Team looses. But it’s all part of supporting , if your enjoying the Wins in our happy days , you also have to be beside your team in the dark days. 

 

• As Legendary Bill Shankly Said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don’t like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.“