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Atishay Inc. : Indians Supporting Footballing Nations - Who? How? Why?
Goal.com's Atishay Agarwal wonders how Indians support other countries at events like the World Cup, who they support, and why they do. We call out to all our readers to leave their comments, answering the same questions...
13-Oct-2009 3:53:30 AM
The international break is quite like an "interlull" in an otherwise fast-paced, action-a-minute league season. While the Premier League, Champions League, and La Liga (Not this season, argh.) are broadcast live in India, we rarely get to catch a glimpse of our favourite international teams in action, whether it be in World Cup qualifiers, or even friendlies.
Which brings me to the point. Just who are our favourite teams? Naturally, all of us should root for our own national team, India, and I would want to believe that we all do. But as of now, India's not among the footballing elite, and has a long way to go. So until we can be called a part of that group, which of the world's top teams do we cheer on, in tournaments like the World Cup, or the Euros, and why?
Two of the centres in India that can be labeled the most football-crazy, are Kolkata and Goa. While the latter is a Portuguese colony, and collectively supports Carlos Queiroz's side almost as passionately as the Portuguese themselves, Kolkata tends to support Brazil and Argentina more. Kolkata always has, and still prides itself as the intellectual and cultural capital of India, a city which has produced distinguished writers, artists, businessmen, and performers. Also, it's a city crazy about sports, especially football.
So, naturally, being intellectually inclined as they are, the Bengalis settle for no less than the best. Arguably the best footballing nations in the world, the South American rivals have a massive fan base in the City of Joy, and during World Cups, you can be sure to find their jerseys (Bad, bad imitations) being sold in every other para. However, most of these supporters, whether they're from Goa or Kolkata, are from the slightly older generations, who have been brought up on Pele and Maradona, among others.
What about the rest of India? And what about the younger generation? What about the ones who lap up Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Champions League throughout the year? Over the last decade or so, many twenty-something men and women seem to have developed a liking for European sides, and especially the English national team. The reason is evidently the growing popularity of the Premier League, which has propeled many young English players to stardom, faster than you can say "Michel Platini".
Although England have flattered to deceive despite having a number of world-class players in their ranks, their popularity hasn't dipped much, but it has meant that other teams like Spain are now well-supported too. The Iberian side's popularity doubled post Euro 2008, and continues to grow leaps and bounds as they've been rampant through the World Cup qualifiers.
Italy too have a number of fans, especially since the Roberto Baggio era, but many of them have switched over the years to support the more attractive and "fashionable" teams, although Italy aren't defensive in my book, they're just practical. Holland, Germany, France, Croatia and the lot have their fans as well, so in that sense, the Indian football-following community is quite diverse.
But how does this support compare with the way youngsters all over India support their clubs? Most fans who follow a club year on year are staunch supporters, refusing to listen to a word against their side, and being involved in heated arguments with rival supporters. But is it the same when it comes to national teams? Do Argentina fans in India dislike Brazil followers? Do Spain lovers fail to get along with the Portuguese supporters, and so on?
Unlikely. The fact is that no matter how much the World Cup captures our imagination as an event, the support for any team is nowhere near as passionate as when supporters gather for, say, a Champions League final. The way I see it, it's perfectly natural, because as Indians, it's probably not possible for us to support any other country as strongly, whereas a club transcends national borders.
I might be wrong here, but am talking purely through personal experience. There might be many fans across India who support nations as staunchly as they support their clubs, or maybe even more. As for why one supports another country, in a majority of cases, it's usually one player which makes one support a footballing nation. Sometimes it's a player who plays for one's favourite club, and sometimes it's just a player one admires. Portugal, France, and Argentina were all in danger of losing out on their World Cup place till a few days back. I spoke to a few Argentina "fans", and though all were disappointed with the situation, none really seemed that tense or nervous.
When I compare this situation to one where say a club like Arsenal or AC Milan is in danger of losing out on a Champions League spot, the difference is for all to see, in terms of how much it affects the average fan. This is why I've always believed that even though the World Cup might be the biggest football event, we, as Indian football fans, can never be as emotionally involved in such events until our own nation qualifies for it.
It is then, will we truly be affected by who is crowned champions of the world. Hopefully, in our lifetime, we'll be proud recipients of that title.
Atishay Agarwal
Do you firmly support an international side? If yes, which team and why? Do you support it more than your club? Leave your comments below!
Which brings me to the point. Just who are our favourite teams? Naturally, all of us should root for our own national team, India, and I would want to believe that we all do. But as of now, India's not among the footballing elite, and has a long way to go. So until we can be called a part of that group, which of the world's top teams do we cheer on, in tournaments like the World Cup, or the Euros, and why?
Two of the centres in India that can be labeled the most football-crazy, are Kolkata and Goa. While the latter is a Portuguese colony, and collectively supports Carlos Queiroz's side almost as passionately as the Portuguese themselves, Kolkata tends to support Brazil and Argentina more. Kolkata always has, and still prides itself as the intellectual and cultural capital of India, a city which has produced distinguished writers, artists, businessmen, and performers. Also, it's a city crazy about sports, especially football.
So, naturally, being intellectually inclined as they are, the Bengalis settle for no less than the best. Arguably the best footballing nations in the world, the South American rivals have a massive fan base in the City of Joy, and during World Cups, you can be sure to find their jerseys (Bad, bad imitations) being sold in every other para. However, most of these supporters, whether they're from Goa or Kolkata, are from the slightly older generations, who have been brought up on Pele and Maradona, among others.
Fascinating Bengalis, even today.
What about the rest of India? And what about the younger generation? What about the ones who lap up Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Champions League throughout the year? Over the last decade or so, many twenty-something men and women seem to have developed a liking for European sides, and especially the English national team. The reason is evidently the growing popularity of the Premier League, which has propeled many young English players to stardom, faster than you can say "Michel Platini".
Although England have flattered to deceive despite having a number of world-class players in their ranks, their popularity hasn't dipped much, but it has meant that other teams like Spain are now well-supported too. The Iberian side's popularity doubled post Euro 2008, and continues to grow leaps and bounds as they've been rampant through the World Cup qualifiers.
Italy too have a number of fans, especially since the Roberto Baggio era, but many of them have switched over the years to support the more attractive and "fashionable" teams, although Italy aren't defensive in my book, they're just practical. Holland, Germany, France, Croatia and the lot have their fans as well, so in that sense, the Indian football-following community is quite diverse.
Won more fans for Italy than anyone else.
But how does this support compare with the way youngsters all over India support their clubs? Most fans who follow a club year on year are staunch supporters, refusing to listen to a word against their side, and being involved in heated arguments with rival supporters. But is it the same when it comes to national teams? Do Argentina fans in India dislike Brazil followers? Do Spain lovers fail to get along with the Portuguese supporters, and so on?
Unlikely. The fact is that no matter how much the World Cup captures our imagination as an event, the support for any team is nowhere near as passionate as when supporters gather for, say, a Champions League final. The way I see it, it's perfectly natural, because as Indians, it's probably not possible for us to support any other country as strongly, whereas a club transcends national borders.
Are you a Portugal fan, or just a Ronaldo fan?
I might be wrong here, but am talking purely through personal experience. There might be many fans across India who support nations as staunchly as they support their clubs, or maybe even more. As for why one supports another country, in a majority of cases, it's usually one player which makes one support a footballing nation. Sometimes it's a player who plays for one's favourite club, and sometimes it's just a player one admires. Portugal, France, and Argentina were all in danger of losing out on their World Cup place till a few days back. I spoke to a few Argentina "fans", and though all were disappointed with the situation, none really seemed that tense or nervous.
When I compare this situation to one where say a club like Arsenal or AC Milan is in danger of losing out on a Champions League spot, the difference is for all to see, in terms of how much it affects the average fan. This is why I've always believed that even though the World Cup might be the biggest football event, we, as Indian football fans, can never be as emotionally involved in such events until our own nation qualifies for it.
It is then, will we truly be affected by who is crowned champions of the world. Hopefully, in our lifetime, we'll be proud recipients of that title.
Atishay Agarwal
Do you firmly support an international side? If yes, which team and why? Do you support it more than your club? Leave your comments below!
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