From streets to parish halls, World Cup ‘screen play’ is a hit in Kerala!

Public screenings of matches are an integral part of World Cup celebrations in Kerala. From screens on football grounds and roadside to hotels, viewing rooms and sports clubs, hundreds of screenings are organised across the state during the tournament.Behind the screeningsThis year, organisers say the screenings got off to a slow start because of licensing requirements. However, momentum picked up after the State government stepped in as an intermediary between fan groups and Kochi-based Eagles FC, the official screening licence holder. Vinayan of the Barton Hill Boys and FIFA Entertainment Club says, “It was a little difficult to get things going this year. We had to secure the licence and even arrange a separate electricity connection.

Since it is a public space, we also had to be extra cautious. We have been conducting World Cup screenings for many years now.”The costs involved, he adds, are significant. “We only screen selected matches. Each day’s screening costs us around `12,000. If we get sponsors, we are able to screen more games. Since the venue is close to a road, we also cannot screen the early-morning matches,” he shares.In Kochi, major screening hubs include Karukapally, Chellanam, Kakkanad and Mattancherry.

Several hotels and restaurants have also introduced World Cup-themed menus and beverages for match nights. In Thiruvananthapuram, public screenings are being held at venues including Barton Hill, Vanchiyoor, Poojappura, shopping malls and the Goethe-Zentrum amphitheatre, alongside several rural locations.

No more fees for public screeningsIn a recent social media post, Eagles FC announced that, following discussions with the State government, public screening licence fees for non-commercial viewings had been waived.

Earlier, clubs and fan collectives were required to pay around `25,000 to conduct public screenings. However, local football clubs and fan groups can now organise free public screenings without paying the licence fee that was previously required, according to Eagle FC.

“Organisers only need to complete a registration process through our Kerala platform to obtain a permit,” they state.

A hall full of fans“Every World Cup season, our public screenings attract a great response,” says Peter Jithin of the Argentina Fans Chellanam Football Club.

“Argentina, Brazil and Portugal matches usually draw the biggest crowds. During the last World Cup, we even set aside a section for female fans,” he informs.While he says attendance has been slightly affected this year by the late-night and early-morning kick-off timings, the excitement remains intact. “The screenings are held in the local parish hall. There are no chairs. People stand, sit or even lie on the floor while watching.

We don’t provide chairs because people tend to get carried away with excitement and could end up breaking them,” he says with a laugh.The screenings at Karukapally, Kochi, have been going viral for the crowds and vibe. “This is our third World Cup screening and this year, for the popular matches, we get an audience of over 2,000, who are there from other districts, as well,” says Shijaas Mahin, the vice-president of the DRKK Arts Club, which organises the screening, which is done on an over 20ft projector screen.

“During the last two Argentina matches, people came in at 5am, for the 6.

30am match.”

More than a sporting eventFor some organisers, the appeal of these gatherings goes beyond football. “The football World Cup has always been more than just a sporting event,” says Dr Syed Ibrahim, director of Goethe-Zentrum. “It is a spectacle where diverse cultures from around the world come together and evoke a wide range of emotions. By screening the matches at Goethe-Zentrum, we are celebrating the spirit of this global event, where fans can support their favourite teams while remaining respectful of their opponents.

”- With input from Anna Mathews