“I like football a lot. That’s why he flew here. This World Cup is a great experience. Everything is brilliant in Qatar’ – says a cricketer. Sri Lanka’s former international all-rounder Farveez Maharoof. Along with Maharoof, another ‘Lion’ has become a spectator in the world of football.
Sanath Jayasuriya literally rewrote the direction of cricket with his firework batting. Both reached Albeit Stadium to witness the opening ceremony. The next day, both of them were in the gallery as witnesses of the ‘historic fight’ in which Saudi Arabia overthrew Argentina.
Many people from Sri Lanka have come to Qatar to watch cricket this time. A large number of Sri Lankans working here are football fans. ‘I am a die-hard football fan. Lionel Messi has been my hero since childhood.
It was a dream to see the World Cup in person. This time I will be in Doha for the entire duration of the tournament. Go back only after finals. I have bought tickets for 16 matches. The preparations for the World Cup here are excellent’ – says Hamza Hanif, a football fan from Lanka.
Dhananjay, an Uber taxi driver, feels lucky that the World Cup has reached Qatar. “I have been fond of football since I was in school. It has been six years since I came to Qatar to work. It was a blessing that the World Cup came here. Watched the Brazil-Switzerland match live. I am a big Neymar fan. Disappointed that he didn’t play.
But I was able to see Brazil’s game. The team won. If the World Cup had not come to Qatar, I would not have been able to enjoy anything in my life.’ Like India, this is the World Cup with the largest attendance in Sri Lanka’s history. Expatriate Lankans were also active in the pre-World Cup celebrations, including the Fan Fest. The ‘fan fight’ behind the teams including Argentina and Brazil is also active for the World Cup.