Adelmo Fernandes
This has reference to the article ‘For players to be the field, there need to be fans on the stands’ (Herald, October 24) on the subject of low turnout of spectators for the football matches of the ongoing U-17 World Cup. There is apprehension that the empty stands could cost Goa dearly if India hosts the U-20 World Cup. There could be several reasons for the poor turnout for the matches. Of course one reason could be that no Goan featured in the Indian U-17 team. But that may not be the only reason.
In the first couple matches many fans who came for the match from all over the state had to go back disappointed when they found that the tickets were sold out. But what probably infuriated the fans more could probably be the fact that much of the stands in the stadium were empty. This probably kept the fans away from subsequent matches. Another aspect could be the multi-layer security that the spectators had to go through before entering the stadium. Goan football fans are not accustomed to such security checks.
In the first match the ladies standing in the queue had to go back to their cars parked in the parking-lot to keep their bags as they not allowed to carry them in the stadium. There was also the apprehension that remote car-keys were not allowed in the stadium. Fans who had the tickets had to stand in long queues for security checks before they could enter the stadium. Many entered the stadium well after the game had started even though that had arrived at the venue much before the start of the game. Nevertheless the U-17 World Cup is a global event and such security checks are mandatory. Another aspect is that the Vuvuzela and drums were not allowed in the stadium. For Goans music and football are inseparable and such restrictions probably took off the fizz of a football math. Of course all these restrictions were also due to security reasons. However it was encouraging to note that in the last match in Goa between England and USA the stands were full with a record crowd of 16,000-plus.
You cannot keep Goans away from football for long. What was even more heartening was to see the long queue of women spectators waiting to enter the stadium. The love of Goans for this beautiful game was on ample display as the spectators in the stadium cheered both the teams in the last match. Nothing should come in the way of Goa hosting more World Cup matches in future as there are not enough world class football venues in the country.
