After 11 World Cups, Kolkata fan awaits Brazil–India friendly
Dipak Nandy, who has attended every World Cup since 1986, was set to watch Brazil face India in Kolkata on television from his hometown.
Illustrative photo: KeithJJ / Pixabay
KOLKATA: Dipak Nandy has travelled to every World Cup since 1986, but the 77-year-old was set to watch Saturday’s Brazil–India international friendly on television from his hometown of Kolkata. For a fan who has followed the sport across 11 tournaments, the match offered the unusual sight of Brazil playing in his own city.
Nandy also has a personal connection to Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s career: he remembers watching Ancelotti play for Italy. His memories of the World Cup stretch from Diego Maradona’s two goals against England in 1986 to Zinedine Zidane’s dismissal in the 2006 final.
A journey that began with a screening
Nandy’s interest began in 1966, when former Indian footballer and coach Amal Dutta brought World Cup video reels back to Kolkata from England. One screening left him determined to see the tournament in person.
“I was sitting in one of the screenings and got bitten by the bug — and promised myself that one day I will go watch the World Cup,” Nandy said.
The opportunity came when a friend invited him to Mexico for the 1986 tournament. Nandy said a passport normally took four to five months to process at the time, but he obtained his in 15 days and made the trip.
He has attended every World Cup since, including this year’s tournament co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
Moments from the stands
Among the matches Nandy treasures most are seven involving Maradona. He was in the crowd for Argentina’s 1986 victory over England, when Maradona scored once with his hand and again after a run from inside his own half.
“He played unbelievable football and played a lone hand in making Argentina champions,” Nandy told AFP. He also witnessed the 2006 final in Germany, where France captain Zidane was sent off for headbutting Italy’s Marco Materazzi before Italy won on penalties.
Nandy said the cost of following the World Cup has not changed his feelings about those trips. “The amount of money I spent on watching football live, I could have built a huge building, but I don’t regret it. Rather, I am proud of it,” he said.
His view of India’s future
India have never qualified for a World Cup. Nandy believes the sport’s “weak organisation”, cricket’s popularity and the country’s hot, humid weather are among the obstacles it faces.
The Kolkata friendly offered him a chance to watch India face Brazil without another journey abroad. Beyond that match, Nandy has no plans to stop following the tournament: “I will go to every World Cup till I die – health and money permitting,” he said.
Source: Free Malaysia Today. This article was compiled by the iBET.news newsroom from the source report and other public information.
