Followers at Hero Asian Champions Trophy at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Egmore
| Photograph Credit score: VEDHAN M
The evening is sultry, and begging for candy reduction from a mild breeze at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Egmore. Minutes later, the gang jumps and screams in unison: The quintessentially Tamil, “Tremendous da!” follows. Japan has missed a penalty and India is now in management as they lead with a formidable counter-attack. On the ongoing Hero Asian Champions Trophy that has returned to Chennai after 16 years, the gang doesn’t disappoint. Chennai’s love for hockey — granted the town’s relationship with the game goes a good distance — takes a first-time spectator without warning.
The night visitors in Egmore honks with a recent sense of urgency, as distributors dole out India flags on the footpath resulting in the stadium. Kids get their faces painted with coats of the tricolour, as households collect. A post-work hockey recreation, particularly when India is taking part in, is a household affair.
Spectators cheering for his or her favorite group
| Photograph Credit score:
VEDHAN M
When requested for a prediction, Sudha Ramanathan grimaces. The spectator says between crinkling an empty packet of chips, “Romba kashtam aa irukku however in fact I would like them to win!” — the sport finally ends in a 1-1 draw between India and Japan — She continues, “I couldn’t miss it. In any case, it’s occurring in Chennai. I had solely seen these matches on TV earlier than.” Her husband, Ramanathan Subramanian, is hoping to catch the entire India matches this event.
Town shares an illustrious historical past with the game. Areas like Thousand Lights, Vepery, Triplicane being the hubs, and Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium internet hosting the SAF Video games (1995), two editions of the Champions Trophy (1996 and 2005), an Asia Cup (2007), the India-Pakistan collection (1999) and the India-Belgium collection (2008). It has additionally been the venue for quite a few home tournaments that noticed the town come out in droves to help the nationwide sport.
One of many spectators, Shahul Hameed, remembers a selected scene from the final Asia Cup in Chennai, again in 2007. “There was this Punjabi man who had come all the best way to Chennai to look at the sport, along with his large dholak. You can see him at each match, beating the large drum. I hoped to fulfill him this time as properly however I’ve not noticed him but.” Immediately, Shahul, an IT skilled, has taken a time off from his shift, solely to look at the India-Japan match, and is right here along with his four-year-old son and six-year-old nephew. “It’s my son’s first stay hockey match, so it’s a special occasion,” says Shahul, armed with trumpets, flags and dancing kids.
A scene from the stadium
| Photograph Credit score:
VEDHAN M
Yuvashri Pichandi, a 25-year-old event volunteer from Vellore is so glad the game is lastly getting the due it deserves in Tamil Nadu. Whereas Chennai is basically conscious of the nationwide recreation’s ins and outs, distant cities within the State are but to heat up, says Yuvashri who’s professionally coaching in hockey. “Twenty two of us got here as volunteers. All of us are right here for the publicity and studying, nothing else!” On the stadium, Yuvashri is answerable for ticketing and VIP seating. “Although I don’t get to speak to the gamers, I atleast get to look at them from shut quarters.”
Japan’s Yamashita Manabu (L) runs with the ball below strain from India’s Singh Manpreet (R) through the Asian Champions Trophy 2023
| Photograph Credit score:
SATISH BABU
For Shiva Srivastav, who moved to Chennai from Mumbai solely 4 months in the past, a global hockey event occurring subsequent to her residence was a fortunate coincidence. “My mom was the one who informed me about it,” says Shiva who performed hockey on the university-level whereas in Mumbai. She says that even the cab and auto drivers appear excited in regards to the event. “There’s a pleasant vitality right here!
Now, an avid follower who tries to catch most tournaments on-line, Shiva provides with fun, “The primary day I got here right here, I believed there can be no crowd because you typically don’t see that round hockey, however surprisingly, I couldn’t discover a seat. Now, I make it some extent to return earlier.”
India will play Pakistan on August 9 at 8.30pm. Tickets could be bought on-line at ticketgenie.in or fih.hockey for ₹100, ₹300 and ₹400 and on the stadium.