Kolkata: "Khela, Football Khela..." Iconic Bengali singer and Padma Bhushan awardee Manna Dey sang this song in the aftermath of a tragedy that shook Indian football. On the fateful day of August 16, 1980, sixteen spectators were killed in a stampede during a Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan at the Eden Gardens.
The city of Kolkata, one of the oldest metropolises in the world, is home to two of the most intimidating rivalries in Indian and world football. First being the battle between traditional rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and the next is about the city's obsession with largely two nations - Brazil and Argentina. When it comes to football, the Kolkattans have always split into two groups. No team has ever enjoyed unilateral support in this city.
The Beautiful Game has always been a big passion for this sport-obsessed city and is deeply rooted in its vast cultural heritage. During the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, the city walls that most of the times are adorned with slogans and symbols of political parties were painted in colours of Brazil and Argentina.
Local paras (neighbourhoods), corridors, clubs or even the roadside tea stalls are not left untouched by football madness. Many a times, the game has scored over cricket in Kolkata, but seldom there has been a team which the city called its own in one voice.
But come October 12, as the city prepares to experience the winds of change, people will rise in unison and embrace a team as their own. Atletico de Kolkata, the team co-owned by the city's very own son Sourav Ganguly, will no more create a divide in the ranks of Kolkata. Just like his name has been feathered as the best sporting icon in Bengal's cap, the crafty left-hander, who is a self-confessed football lover, is hoping the people will unbiasedly extend the same love to Atletico de Kolkata.
"This is a football crazy city and cricket took over from 1995. But football is passion here," Ganguly said during the build-up to the tournament.
With little over 24 hours left before the kick-off to the Indian Super League opener between Atletico de Kolkata and Mumbai City FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, the buzz in and around the city is just too much to go unnoticed. The city, which was till last week immersed in the Durga Puja celebrations, got a whole new look and feel with Atletico de Kolkata's banners, placards and murals covering most of the areas near the stadium.
"The look of this area has completely changed with the ISL opening match getting closer. We are really excited with the developments," Chandan Bannerjee, who lives just a few blocks away from the venue, told IBNLive Sports.
Football is not just a sport or religion here but faith and obsession. When football takes over, you just cannot escape without beholding the sight of Kolkata.
"Sob Khelar Sera Bangalir Tumi Football (Football, you are above all sports for Bengalis)," sings 63-year-old Bidyut Gupto, when asked to describe his passion for the game. Coincidentally, the song is another one sang by Manna Dey on football in the 1971 Bengali classic Dhanni Meye.
Comments
0 comment