‘Let’s play’, say Goan F & B outlets as cricket comes as a balm to COVID

The bowler bowls a slower one, the batsman moves into position
and swings his bat and makes contact with the ball. It sails like a free bird
into the stands. Cue for the crowds to go crazy in the stands and elsewhere.
That’s in a normal world. This is not that world anymore. COVID has ensured
that. As the IPL commences today in Dubai in front of empty stands in Dubai,
fans will watch it from the safety of their homes.  Most will watch it
with close friends or family and others may watch it in restaurants and bars
where sops are being followed. Subash Naik an engineer said he desperately looking forward to
watching the IPL. He said “It would be prudent to be conservative and not take
chances and watch the game at home. He said, “I am sure once we move towards
the business end of the tournaments then my friends will come over or I might
go over but we will be very careful”. Another passionate Mumbai Indians fan, Avnit Pednekar a
businessman said the tournament would certainly change the mood for everyone.
He said “It has been just COVID, COVID, COVID and its fear. It is a really good
step to play cricket by the concerned authorities.” Jerry Coutinho the man behind one of the biggest sports bars in
the state said he was presently refurbishing the place and would be re-opening
in a week’s time. He said “Calangute has been packed with people coming from
Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Gujarat and cricket is the passion of the country.
I expect a good response but yes we will be following all the sops to ensure it
will be a safe experience”. Mandar Nadkarni, the owner of another
restaurant and batr said this year would be very different from the last when
the IPL elicited a fantastic response from cricket fans in Panjim. He said
“This year the tournament is like a godsend because it has been so frustrating
so far. We are following the sops strictly and our capacity has been reduced by
fifty percent. Till now we have around eight to ten reservations and we
expect more before the match commences on Saturday. The younger generation will
come but they will have to follow all the rules. Thank god the cricket has
commenced, it will bring some degree of normalcy to a very strange world”.Vincent
Ramos, Area Director, IHCL
Goa and General Manager Taj Hotel
& Convention Centre said they did not plan to anything special because of
the tournament but since they were enjoying high occupancy, he was sure the
guests would stay in the room and watch the games. The enthusiasm for the tournament, however, is strong with
Gaurav Tahmankar an IT executive said this year the tournament would be epic.
He said “I know there won’t be any fan involvement, but the enthusiasm is
sky high already as this is the most awaited T20 league in the world.”. With such enthusiasm the matches will be followed with much
fervour but sports clubs and bars will hope this will translate to some
business for them.