Another season of the ISL came to an end with a match that had all the characteristics of a great match. Unexpected twists and turns and yes at the end of it all the worthy team won. Importantly fans were allowed into the stadium making for a very raucous passionate affair. The fan, a very important component in any sporting component, was there after being kept out for much of the tournament.
The fan was very much in focus as two fans travelling in from Malappuram district, Kerala died in a road accident early Sunday morning. The accident happened at Uduma in Kasargod district of Kerala. The youths, Jamsheer and Mohammed Shabir were travelling in a two-wheeler when a mini lorry hit their vehicle from behind killing the two on the spot. The popularity of the game in that state can be gauged by the fact that seven luxury buses came in from that state. A total of 14,000 tickets were sold for the match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa which has a capacity of 13,000 seats. Most of the tickets were bought by the fans of the Kerala Blasters team.
So, what is it about the game that needs its fans so much? What is it that makes football such a fan centric sport? Fans in Goa had interesting views on the sport and their connection to it and vice versa. Conrad Baretto who follows the game passionately in the state and internationally said one had to remember football was nothing without its fans. He said “The energy of the fans always reflects onto the team. It was overwhelming being back in a stadium full of fans. The feeling was unreal. Sunday was the best example of it. There was no way a true football fan was going to miss this moment in Goa. Hyderabad and Kerala gave us a game worthy of a final. It’s a great thing for Indian football as a whole to see so many fans travel so far to watch their teams play”.
Speaking about fans in Goa Omi another football fanatic felt it was due to the fact it was after two years fans were allowed in the Stadium and also because of the love for the beautiful game from the Goenkars despite FC Goa not playing. He said that extra spark of energy from the players on the pitch due to the vociferous support from the crowd. Football, he said, was definitely a sport where fans play a major part, especially during a build up to the goal which can get the opposition nervous whereas in a sport like Cricket he pointed out the crowd cheered only after a boundary was hit. He ended by saying he could not wait to get back in the Stadium on a normal basis next season.
Kunal Kunkolienkar, a long time fan from Margao said any sport was fan dependent. Speaking of football he said “The atmosphere created by fans gives a kick to the players to perform better as they know they are playing for the club which is eventually supported by fans and the players themselves are created by the fans and they know that they are nothing without them. We saw the finals played on Sunday where thousands of them came to support their local club, Kerala and Hyderabad which proved to be crucial for the players and the best team that day; Hyderabad won which gave the travelling fans much joy. It was great having fans back to enjoy the beautiful game at the stands after 2 seasons. Hoping that next season we can come and support our teams from game 1.”
Sidharth Mehta a long time fan of FC Goa and an even longer fan of the beautiful game felt no club was complete without fans. He said “The Fans are the 12th man of every team and without their cheers and support football is incomplete. Football is played the world over and the fans play a vital role in building up the confidence and boost their morale in the ups and downs of a team. The Sunday finals even as Kerala Lost the game with a lot of fans in tears they rose up to the occasion and chanted for their team despite losing in the penalties. It is these moments which keep up the momentum for the players especially in football.”
James Mendonca made some interesting observations when he said “Fans maketh a sport. More the fans mean bigger the sport. Basketball, hockey, volleyball is struggling in India, due to no fan base. Time stops in Spain when Real and Barca clash. Everything comes to stand still. It was so refreshing to see the Blasters and Hyderabad Fans travel all the way to Goa to support their teams”.
Xavier Fernandes may be a Master of Ceremonies but he is also a passionate football fanatic willing to travel all over the country to watch the performance of his dear FC Goa. He pointed out that since the inception of ISL, football fever had caught up all over India and the fan base had increased drastically. This was due to the introduction of European and South American players brought in by the teams to play in India. Goans said he loved football, fish and feni. He said “As an avid footballer & fan (Gaur Army) supporting FC Goa and going for all home and away matches in the recent past, was a great and fantastic experience. Meeting and interacting with the players and coaches on and off the field not only of the home team but the opponent team as well. The COVID situation was a total dampener in the last two years, for us Fans, as we could not connect with the players. But as a football fan I was blessed to meet so many players, Coaches and Team staff of different ISL Teams, who came to get Vaccinated at the Vaccination Centre of The Village Panchayat of Candolim, which was handled by The Lions Club of Candolim in Association with PHC Candolim.” He expressed his happiness at the decision to allow the fans and Spectators for the Finals of the ISL this year. The 12th man (fans) he said played a very important role in the team with their chanting and slogans, supporting the players.
The fan is the oxygen for the game without a doubt and one it seems cannot live without the other.
