Fifa World Cup fever grips Balurghat with school organising football tournament

BALURGHAT: Balurghat's passion with football takes on different note when the World Cup football kicks off.

Balurghat's Tanmoy Chakraborty, acting head of a local government aided junior high school will not compromise with anything that could probably hamper his watching of the live football show on television screen till the final on July 15. The 42-year old Chakraborty is a diehard fan of Lionel Messi and Argentina national football team.

"I am one of the biggest fans of Messi and Argentina. The team is overloaded with skilful players who can face any challenge from the rival teams. It was my dream to enjoy the greatest show live in Russia where I could clap and cheer for my team in person,"

he said.

However, Chakraborty's dream to visit Russia was shattered when he learnt about the cost through a Balurghat based travel agent and it was not affordable for him. Now, instead of going Russia, he will pray for Argentina while watching matches on TV screen.

"Nothing can damper my spirit. I want to shake hands with Messi and my team in the World Cup is blue and white," he said. Chakraborty's wife and only daughter are also Messi and Argentina fans. They also don't miss a single match of Messi like him. "My husband is a great Messi fan. Nothing can move him before TV during the matches of Argentina," said Chakraborty's wife Chaitali, a homemaker.

On Thursday, Chakraborty had arranged a friendly football match with his school students. The match was kicked off by him during lunch break on school ground. It was spectacular as apart from boys, the girls also took part in it.

"I had planned to organise the match on Thursday as the World Cup kicked off just a few hours after.

The students enjoyed the match wholeheartedly," Chakraborty said. Residents have chosen their favourite teams and even their favourite footballers.

Nothing but only football is the matter of their debates and discussions now.