Playing ball in Bengaluru: Tracing the city’s football culture

As football fans world over celebrate their abiding love for the sport in the ongoing season of FIFA World Cup, The Hindu’s reporters attempt to put the fever and frenzy into perspective with a series on Bengaluru’s tryst with the game over the decades.

This three-part series looks at the how teams from Public Sector Undertakings promoted a thriving football culture in the city from the 1970s to early 2000s, only to be cemented in the later years by academies which came up in response to the growing demand for structured training in the sport.

The series also traces the journeys of several prominent football stars who emerged from areas in Bengaluru such as Austin Town and Gowthampura, and played a significant role in shaping the sport for India.

Bengaluru football fanbase thrives under giant shadow of cricket

On February 15, as India and Pakistan faced off in a marquee T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, more than 11,000 football fans assembled at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to watch Bengaluru FC begin its Indian Super League (ISL) campaign against Sporting Club Delhi. Is football carving out a niche under the giant shadow of cricket in Bengaluru, and what in-stadia experience is attracting the enthusiasts? The Hindu examines the sporting scene of the city seeking answers. | Video Credit: The Hindu