By IANS
New Delhi : The Indian football team’s stupendous 1-0 victory over Syria to lift the Nehru Cup has translated into mega bucks for the players – all of Rs.4.77 million.
The tournament carried prize money of $40,000 (Rs.1.63 million). Even as the final whistle blew, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi announced this had been doubled to $80,000 (Rs.3.27 million). Dasmunsi is also the minister for information and broadcasting.
Tournament sponsor Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) added Rs.1 million to the kitty and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, the chief guest at the final, contributed Rs.500,000.
This is the first time an Indian football team has raked in so much money – and could well spur a resurgence of the game in India.
As the match began, the spectators cheered every time the Indians touched the ball. The attacking play by the home kept the crowd glued to their seats as none moved even as the match went into its dying moments.
There was not a single empty seat in the 23,000-capacity floodlit Ambedkar Stadium.
It was indeed a heart-warming to see the home side succeed in an international football tournament, their first Nehru Cup success in the 13th edition of the event. And it was made even more memorable by the response from the national team got from Delhi’s football lovers.
The entire tournament had witnessed a good turnout but the final definitely exceeded expectations as people began filing in more than an hour before kick-off and stayed on till the presentations were made.
The winners expressed their gratitude by doing a lap of honour and were cheered at every step.
Cricket star Virender Sehwag surprised many by turning up to watch the final and rushed to the pitch soon after the final whistle to individually congratulate each member of the Indian squad.
So did Dasmunsi, who rushed on to the field and hugged national coach Bob Houghton and then went on to do the same with the squad, posing merrily for photographs with the players as they danced and sang in joy.
The crowd enjoyed every bit of it as the players basked in the Nehru Cup glory.
The national capital has proved to be a lucky venue for the side and could see more international engagements coming their way. And if the crowd response is anything to go by, the team will not be disappointed if it continues to deliver.