The Messi magic and Samba skills are set to come alive on a giant LED screen that is being set up in New Town’s City Square, in front of Central Mall, for residents and others to watch World Cup matches from Wednesday.
The initiative by the New Town Forum and News (NTFN) is part of an attempt by the residents’ body of the township to build community — and what better way to do that during the World Cup than exploiting the football fever the city is in grip of?
The City Square ground is close to Walking Street, where there is a designated food truck zone adjacent to the field. Fans can enjoy the matches while sipping tea or coffee and savouring their favourite snacks.
Samaresh Das of NTFN said they had started making arrangements to set up the giant screen.
“World Cup happens every four years. Although nearly everyone has access to a TV set, laptop or a smart phone where they can catch the Cup action, watching the matches together on a giant screen is a different experience altogether,’’ Das told The Telegraph on Sunday.
“We want to create a stadium-like atmosphere where people can gather in groups wearing the jerseys of their favourite teams and rooting for them. We are also planning to organise some games during the half time.’’
In Salt Lake, too, councillors of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) are planning to beam the final match of the World Cup, scheduled for December 18, on a giant screen.
Ranjan Poddar, councillor of Ward 34, has organised a Cup-themed picnic at the HB Block park that day. The match will be screened at the park, Poddar said.
“The day-long picnic will have games for everyone. At night the final will be beamed live on a giant screen,’’ he said.
“Football builds communities and what better way to celebrate than watching the action with friends and family on a big screen. We will even have a friendly football match for the residents.”
Screens will also be set up on several grounds in Salt Lake, including the parks in the FD and FC Blocks, and playgrounds in the HA and FC Blocks.
Banibrata Banerjee, mayoral council member in charge of health of the BMC and councillor of Ward 33, said: “I am planning to set up a giant screen on the day of the final match.”
