It's amazing to think how football brings people, countries, and even cultures closer. This time, two English clubs, without even knowing it, brought the people of Mumbai together, for a noble cause...
"Be the change you want to see" - Mahatma Gandhi
Rarely does one witness a scene such as this in India, that too for a game of football. The screening of the big game between Manchester United and Chelsea in Mumbai on Sunday was a big hit, with a number of fans clad in their team’s colors flocking to the location with flags, banners, scarves and a lot of energy!
The event, organized by MFFCA along with Goal.com, was held in order to raise some funds for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks, and by way of the screening, over Rs. 11,000 was raised on the night alone, and has been passed on to an NGO working for the terror victims.
The event took off even before it began, with many supporters turning up over an hour before kick-off, singing and cheering their team on in advance. By the time the game had started, close to 100 people were packed inside the hall, with a lot of noise being made now. As expected, more than half the people were Manchester United supporters. Most of the rest were Chelsea fans, and the numbers were made up by a sprinkling of a few Arsenal and Liverpool fans here and there.
There were a few girls in the house as well, when the match kicked off, proof of the fact that it’s not only men that follow football in India. The energy in the hall was contagious, with chanting, flag-waving, and a lot of friendly (read unfriendly) banter amongst rival fans. United fans had a gala time taunting the Blues supporters about the Champions League final last season, and were in raptures when Ronaldo headed a quickly taken corner into the back of the net just before half time. However, the goal was disallowed, and Chelsea fans responded with loud chants, taking the mickey out of the Red Devils.
However, only moments later, they got their back, as Vidic scored from the retake, and the United fans brought the house down with loud cheers and continuous chanting! It was certainly the most exciting and entertaining two minutes of the night, as the second half was pretty one-sided, leaving most Chelsea supporters dejected.
Despite the banter, and the slightly humiliating scoreline for Chelsea, the fans showed great spirit, and all stayed back after the game for group photographs, and the usual post-match discussions. Sunil Thakur, of the Manchester United Mumbai fan club, remarked, “
I think everyone really appreciated the whole event, and the cause for which it was organized. The coming together of all four fan clubs in order to do a little bit for Mumbai was a very nice gesture, and even if the contribution isn’t huge in terms of money, I think it’s the thought that counts.”
It sure does, and one could see the satisfaction on each fan’s face when they left the hall, that they’d done their bit in coming together and making a contribution to a cause dear to their heart. As for the screening itself, it was fabulous, with an atmosphere befitting the match, and a lot of fellowship among fans who had never met each other before. Thakur continued, “
It was the best screening I’ve ever attended bar the Champions League final in May, and the cause made it even more special.”
All in all, the fan clubs of Mumbai have set a wonderful example, in maximizing the enjoyment out of a big match, and showing fans all across the country how football can bring people together. In fact, there will be more joint screenings coming up in the city, for the other big four clashes coming up.
Atishay Agarwal & Sunil Thakur
Goal.Com & MFFCA
