[1]The FIFA kickoff has kickstarted a month-long carnival among youngsters. The soccer crazy youngsters have their match dens ready, soccer parties planned and evenings booked for the high-adrenaline sport. And all of them are ready to wear their World Cup fanaticism on their sleeves.
Their wardrobes have given pride of place to official jerseys of their favourite major teams. From branded stores to roadside kiosks, these jerseys are flying off the shelves. Nishant Kumar, Class 12 passout, who got himself Portugese Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey, informs, “It feels great to think I’ll be wearing the same jersey as the football stars. It’s fantastic that the jerseys were made from eco-friendly yarn made from recycled plastic bottles.”
Those who can’t splurge on big brands find an easy and cheaper option in shopping hubs like Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and Palika Bazar that stock soccer merchandise at very reasonable rates. These replicas of ‘official’ T-shirts and jerseys are from local markets and China, and are a favourite with the collegegoing lot because of their comfortable price tag.
One such garment store in Sarojini Market that houses EPL shirts and polos with WWE wrestlers emblazoned on them has stocked itself well for the soccer carnival. Aware that the imitation jerseys could get him in trouble, the shopkeeper divulged, “Customers who have bought EPL and WWE T-shirts are returning for the FIFA World Cup T-shirts.”
About the team whose colours are most in demand, he says, “Brazil and Argentina. Argentina’s number ‘10’ (Messi) has sold the most.”
Another haven for cool and trendy T-shirts and football jerseys is Palika Bazaar. Daksh Kalia, an engineering student who has an enviable collection of club jerseys, is all geared up for the FIFA frenzy. Daksh avers, “I’m rooting for the Spaniards this time and there couldn’t have been a better choice than their number ‘10’, Cesc Fabregas. I got a Spain jersey sometime back from Palika Bazaar.”
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