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Fans & sports teams

Takeover saga at Liverpool is over, but their on-the-field performance remains the same. Mired into relegation, avoiding bottom of the league just by goal difference. Fans have not only passionately followed the events both on and off the field, but also tried to influence the proceedings by protests, campaigns n all. That's how fans all over the world follow their teams, especially in football.

Now consider another news over the last week. 2 franchises dropped from IPL, Rajasthan & Punjab! It was any-ways a disputed decision, showing how whimsical BCCI n IPL authorities are. But 'fans' of these franchises have been conspicuously absent from these events. The very people who pack stadiums during IPL are not at all bothered about fate of their city-teams.

This again shows how flimsy the fan-following for IPL is. Of course, it is great source of entertainment and that's what it is. Only entertainment. Football clubs are part of the social milieu, communities associate with them. That's why fate of Liverpool football club binds all people of Liverpool. 40000 people flock Ellan Road even when Leeds are in League 1. It's because people associate with the club. Sadly IPL still hasn't developed such passions. I hope in India, there would be such sport culture one day, but I don't see IPL being solution for that. To have such passions, you need bottom up approach!

Labels: IPL, opinion, sport, views

posted by ninad @ 11:05 pm