File image of soccer followers in Qatar. AP
The euphoria surrounding this yr’s FIFA World Cup has been ”unprecedented” in football-mad Kolkata, with practically 9,000 followers having already travelled to Qatar to witness the showpiece occasion and lots of extra slated to reach within the subsequent few days, officers stated.
Individuals are nonetheless making queries concerning ticket and lodging availability and journey packages for Qatar, days forward of the semi-finals and the ultimate subsequent week, they stated.
”Round 10,000-12,000 soccer followers have travelled to Qatar from jap India to this point, together with near 9,000 individuals from Kolkata. Individuals are nonetheless very eager to make it to the semis and the ultimate, and we anticipate no less than one other 1,500 Kolkatans to go to the Arab nation,” Anil Punjabi, jap area head of Journey Brokers’ Federation of India (TAFI), instructed PTI.
Although the craze for the enterprise finish of the world cup has died right down to an extent following the exit of giants corresponding to Brazil and Portugal, Argentina’s advance to the semi-finals is purpose sufficient for a lot of of Kolkata’s soccer lovers to pack their baggage for Qatar.
”It’s all about Messi this time as will probably be his final world cup. I had made up my thoughts months in the past that if Argentina progresses to the semis, I’ll head to Qatar. Who is aware of, I’d truly see Messi lifting the coveted trophy, which might be an unreal expertise,” Subham Mitra, a resident of Lake Gardens, stated.
Mitra stated he’ll depart for Doha (Qatar capital) within the early hours of Monday. The common return fare to Doha prices round Rs 55,000-60,000 at current.
Argentina will tackle Croatia within the first semi-final on Wednesday.
”Kolkata’s soccer frenzy for this version of the world cup has been unprecedented due to two foremost elements — direct flights to Qatar, and the urge to journey extra submit the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly throughout main world occasions,” Punjabi stated.
The senior TAFI official additionally stated Qatar will flip into a preferred journey vacation spot for individuals of east India, courtesy of the world cup. ”Qatar wasn’t among the many sought-after vacationer spots earlier than the mega occasion, however the sporting spectacle has added nice worth to the place and we anticipate that increasingly individuals will add it to their must-visit record,” Punjabi added.
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