Braving the cold, hundreds of football fans gathered to watch Argentina defeat France on an outdoor TV screen at the Changlimithang volleyball court yesterday. The victory makes Argentina the champions for the third time.
Nothing could deter the group of fans from flooding the small volleyball court featuring a screen TV, not the cold temperature, not the 9 PM start time and the need to sit throughout the three-hour match.
‘‘Today my support is for Argentina. I am supporting Argentina because France won the Previous World Cup. My best player is Messi and if he could take the world cup I would be so happy,’’ said Tashi Wangda, one of the spectators.
‘‘I came here mainly because we came here from the start of the game. BNB sponsored the watch party and brought the spectators firewood to keep them warm. Tea, porridge, and momo were available, so, we could eat and drink anytime. Many people have gathered here and it’s more fun to watch the football with all of the people together,” said Dorji Jamtsho, another spectator.
‘‘We are so happy to watch on the screen. In our house, it’s a small screen only for the family to watch together but here there is a very big screen and we are very happy to watch the football final live,’’ said Padam Maya, a spectator.
‘‘It had been a great night coinciding with the National Day of Bhutan. BNB has organised a very special event with the live telecast of the football World Cup 2022. So that everyone has come up together. BNB has a kind of giveaway, prizes for the people who have attended here. I think it is a good opportunity that people united together,’’ said Sonam Gyeltshen, a spectator.
This is the first time the Bhutan National Bank hosted a large outdoor viewing party for the World Cup final. Sunday was the last chance for 35-year-old Messi to win his first World Cup, which added to the drama for many fans.
The lead coordinator said he was worried that the cold might keep a significant number of people away but a huge crowd turned out.
‘‘I think for the past three years due to the pandemic, COVID-19 there were lockdowns and hardly people got together. We have been lots of restrictions like gatherings. It is very important to get together and enjoy ourselves together so this is the platform where BNB understood that after the lockdown BNB can contribute the society in a small way. So that people get together, enjoy together, bring their family and enjoy,” said Ugyen Wangchuk, the coordinator.
Argentina claimed a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 took place in Qatar from 20th November to 18th December, making it the first World Cup to be held in the Middle Eastern country.
Sonam Pem & Karma Wangdi
