Foot ball world cup in Kerala?
If you are not travelling to South Africa to be part of the FIFA worldcup festival, then there is only another destination that you might want to travel to. That is Malabar region of Kerala. Known for its love for foot ball, the two districts of Malappuram and Calicut has no match in its devotion for the game. As one of our travellers exclaimed, "Looking at what I have been witnessing in the last two days, I really doubt if we have such a feverish celebrations even in France for the world cup!"

Well, it's true. There is nothing that can be compared to this devotion to football. Listen to this migrant worker from Ras al khaima ( UAE) "for last 26 years that I have spent in the Gulf, I haven't missed a single 'world cup'." He has been ensuring that his work-schedule and annual leave are adjusted in a way that he can join his friends in Tirur who are ardent fans of Argentina. They pool money together and purchase large TV screens , some even run projectors and this year we hear, movie theatres are getting prepared for live screenings of popular matches!
 

Join the excitement

What better way to celebrate this world cup foot ball season than joining these ardent fans who live and breathe football. For a country where cricket is the religion, it will be surprising to see how much foot ball is part of our lives in this part of the world. To drum up the excitement and run up to the world cup, local foot ball clubs have started organising matches representing their favourite countries. So to the local scores, Brazil has beaten Argentina twice already in Tirur municipality foot ball stadium. If the same results are going to be the reality in FIFA world cup, our villages will be sporting many shaved heads as many have pledged their hair during many bets!!! 

The small towns between Manjeri and Tirur has started seeing many vehicles plying with the colours of various football playing country flags. Many of them are giving free rides to their fans and supporters to commute between cities. As quoted by The Hindu newspaper, "“We will do anything for our teams and fans,” Every small towns and villages have a festive look. We are yet to see hair cuts that resemble famous players, but yeah, this will be a different story in a weeks time. Let the game begin!
 

Join us:
The Blue Yonder is joining the party till the final. We will be screening live matches in partnership with local foot ball clubs in various locations. Whether its for a single match or for weekends or the entire season, we have various activities that will help you enjoy the foot ball fever with monsoon. Stay in some of the finest home stays in the state, stay with friends, enjoy some cultural activities, take a boat ride, or may be even a raft down Tootha river on a bamboo raft. May be even a little bit of football matches with local stars! In the evening, join our celebrations, rallies, parties, and of course watching the matches on big screens. All in all, this is fun-filled month of football.

This will certainly be better than watching the game in a pub or your own house! Unless you decide to go to South Africa to watch the game!

Write to us if you are interested to join the party. Small groups welcome.
Check out some of these photographs from location

                 All the photos from Malappuram district shot by The Blue Yonder team copyright © P Manjapra