Bets on as Capital in grip of soccer fever

ANKIT ADHIKARI

KATHMANDU, JUL 11

Kathmandu is keyed up at Spain and the Netherlands fighting for this season’s World Cup title on Sunday. The big event has the City on its toes.

The scene has been already set: the country’s biggest stadium, Dashrath, is booked expecting some hundreds of thousands of spectators. Pubs, restaurants and bars have fixed up projectors for the final show and have also splashed advertisements in the major dailies and TV channels. The mood is festive and business boom heartening.

Many private educational institutions in the valley have declared a holiday on Monday so that football fans won’t have to worry about game hangover. Schools and colleges such as St. Xavier’s School, I.J Pioneer, GEMS, LRI, South Point, White House College and others have declared a holiday on Monday. “We’ve decided to close on Monday as both the students and teachers, who will watch the game at midnight, won’t be able to make it to the classes the next day,” said Sangita Pradhan, the Principal of I.J. Pioneer School.

Bets and forecasting have hooked many. Octopus Paul is the talk of the town. Some are angry at him, some are excited that this oracle will ensure Spain wins the Cup. “I am agog for the moment when Spain lifts the Cup,” said Subesh KC, a student of Golden Gate College. “More than any of the players, I have become a big fan of Paul, the octopus. His predictions are correct.”

To many, Paul is a bad omen. “The octopus has played the villain. It predicted the defeat of its own country,” said Ranjan Adhikari, a fan of the German team, from Gwarko. “I feel like eating up the psychic octopus.”

Besides football fans, the game has also those who assume that football is not their cup of tea. “Though I am not a football fan, I will be hanging out with my friends at Thamel. The night will be big fun, I guess.”

Besides the orgy at bars, the Growth Sellers Consultancy’s screening of the final game at Dashrath Stadium is sure to stand out as it is also churning out a music concert as a prelude. “We are expecting around 10,000 people,” said Mohan Ojha of Growth Sellers. 

Pubs and bars in the Capital are in a race to capitalise on the craze. “We’re expecting a housefull show on the final day ,” said Nirmal Ratna Shakya, owner of Ambience Restaurant and Bar. Scores of others like Franchis Garden Restaurant, Indreni Foodland, Alina’s Bakery Café, Nanglo Bakery Café will also screen the big show.

Quest Entertainment’s private screening of the World Cup final will be done at their cinema. It will be only for the staff and their family members.


Published in The Kathmandu Post -- July 12