Kolkata, AIFF pull out all stops for India vs Brazil but crowd stays away
Despite significant investment and security measures by the AIFF and West Bengal government, a historic football match between India and Brazil saw low attendance in Kolkata. Organizers attribute the poor turnout to high ticket prices and the proximity of the upcoming Durga Puja festival.
Why it matters
The event highlights the challenges of sports marketing and event management in India, where cultural timing and pricing significantly impact fan engagement.
TimesofIndia.com in Kolkata: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the West Bengal government pulled out all stops to make Brazil's first-ever appearance on Indian soil a historic affair. Around 2,000 policemen were stationed at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. More than 400 volunteers also chipped in. Separate companies of the central forces were also employed to keep miscreants at bay. Over a 100 temporary cameras were installed to add to the 200-plus CCTVs already in place. Yet, around an hour before the 7:30 pm kickoff, it appeared that the security were outnumbering the audience.In many ways, it was a historic occasion. Brazil hadn't faced a team as lower ranked than India in 28 years. India hadn't gone up against a team as higher ranked as Brazil since rankings were introduced in August 1993.
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