Forging Friendship through Football

19 Apr 2016
Neethu
Features

What did Mollywood darling Srinda Arhaan, HE Srinda Arhaan, HR Assistant Manager Sreenath Nandakumar, and therapist, Aneesh M K, have in common? These Kochiites were all ‘game’ because of their love for football. Kochi is football crazy and we have proven this to the world with the record breaking support we gave Kerala Blasters at the JNI Stadium, Kaloor.

Even the Indian National Blind Football team has its roots in Kochi! Supporting the big, professional players who stand out in their team colors and excite us with every pass is one thing. Playing your own game with friends, with professional kits goes beyond Fantasy Football. O Jogo Bonito, one of India’s first amateur football leagues was kick started in Kochi. Where regular Srinda Arhaan, HR Assistant Manager Sreenath Nandakumar,and therapist, Aneesh M K, have Thommachans and Joikuttans play for the love of the game. OJB as it is popularly known, will be conducting its sixth season in a bigger and bolder way at Ambedkar Stadium from April 27 to May 1st. The tournament will donate its proceedings to the SRVC (Society for Rehabilitation of the Visually Challenged) blind football initiative from Kochi which has produced national and state players. Blind Football is a 5-a-side game played on a futsal size ground with side kick boards on the long sides with a ball having bells inside.

The Origins

O Jogo Bonito 6 will have 35 teams that will fight their way to win the trophy and the pride of being the champions of Kochi.

Sreenath tells us about how his friend Noel Ben of Sportico Ventures started the tournament. They used to be football crazy kids who used to land up at Regional Sports Centre (RSC) everyday. Soon teams were formed and matches were planned. Jogo Bonito is the Spanish term used to describe the beautiful game. Given the style of youngsters 'Joga today?' was the SMS that circulated daily around the circle. As these footballers aged 12 to 44 kept s showing up every day at the grounds as early as 5am, Noel recognized their passion and the need for a league of their own. So these ordinary gentlemen came together for an extraordinary affair. The OJB tournaments have been watched by many celebrities, including superstar Mamootty.

The Evolution

With certified referees, professional football kits for each team, and a gala event with stalls, OJB became a festival. A place where families came to support their kin, friends came to cheer and lovers of football could enjoy the game and play their hearts out like their idols. That is how Barca and Bayern along with Manchester United came to play in Kochi. Naming their teams after the big guys, football became something more than the game. Friendships were formed, and they started training, playing and even hanging out together. OJB 6 will have around 35 teams for this season. The finale itself will be an intense affair and the organizers are really excited.

Rumor has it that big stars will be at the game and people have already started guessing. Amala Paul? Shriya Saran who is the face for the SRVC blind football initiative? The SRVC blind team is equally enthusiastic about being part of a big football movement in Kochi and will hold their own national tournament at the same time. Football teams from around the country will be playing in the specially prepared pitch at the Blind School Aluva from April 26 to May 1.

The Game Plan

Srinda was really excited as she agreed that we need more ventures that make Kochiites explore and experience beyond their daily routine. Srinda proved to be the right friend to Sreenath and Aneesh at the shoot, giving them tips on how to stand and sharing football queries with them. Sreenath, who works in Infopark, cannot wait for OJB 6 to start. "We all play a lot in school, but when the responsibilities increase, work takes over practice and deadlines takes over fitness."

Sreenath, judged player of the tournament in OJB 5, suggests that fitness should be mandatory at a job. There are a lot of teams from Infopark playing at OJB 6 including TCS,Wipro etc. He is overjoyed by the team jersey and has convinced his little brother to join his team.

Aneesh is part of the Indian Blind Football, and on the cover he wears the blindfold that is mandatory for blind football. A therapist at a leading fi ve star hotel, How does someone who can’t see play football? Though it may baffle you, Aneesh asks why not. They hone their other skills like listening, at the SRVC training sessions and take part in international events. Aneesh hopes that more visually challenged people will take up sports and outgrow their fear of getting injured. Aneesh says his experience abroad has exposed him to better systems and laws to make the city disabled-friendly.

Local initiatives such as these keep Kochi buzzing and is a great experience for people to reach out. O Jogo Bonito has managed to bring together more people than these exceptional people in the story. It is football of Kochi, by Kochi and for Kochi.

Words: Maria John

Photo: Serin George

Makeup artist: Shibin Antony