Football frenzy and flags

Flags carry the high-voltage passion of a particular group of people. Be it a religious sect, a political outfit, a sports club or any other organisation. But above everything else the national flag is a representation in colour and shape of the ethos of a nation. During wars nations fight for preserving the honour of their respective national flags and in peace times, they do the bonding of relations by hoisting flags together. This is demonstration of respect for each other's flags. While the ritual of hoisting flags marking important national events or on state affairs is a sombre occasion, it is not so in the galleries of stadiums or on the running tracks or at athletic venues. Yet the passion and love involved can rival any so far as the paying of respect to the flags is concerned.
However, there is a different kind of passion for foreign flags in this part of the world in particular starting from a few weeks before each Football World Cup till the final match. That fans support great clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan or Juventus is understandable. They have every right to wear the jerseys of their favourite clubs. Surprisingly, fans here are not crazy about flags of the clubs they love. But when it comes to the World Cup, it is the other way round. They go to any length to demonstrate their love for one of the favourite to win the trophy by hoisting huge flags. Certainly those countries have their select jerseys although they have to don different ones during different matches. Yet, the sky blue and white stripes are a trade mark of Argentina, yellow and green that of Brazil and so and so forth.
No question that in South Asian countries, Argentina and Brazil rule the roost. Responsible for this are two phenomena -- one, the iconic figures of Maradona and Pele leading a long line of talented footballers who have demonstrated mesmerising footballing skills all through; and second, the free flowing brand of football these two countries have come up with. Of late Spain, particularly Barcelona, are credited with passing football that helped them to win both European championship and the World Cup. Yet the Spanish flags are likely to be few and far between, particularly after the demise of Tiki-Taka brand in this competition.
The story of Maradona's Argentine conquista, as against that of the Spanish, lies in the fact that the rise of this super star from a slum and Argentina's background as a Third World country has enormously helped the cause. Also it was the time when television for the first time became a household mode of entertainment and the game could be watched live on TV for the first time. When Pele played, TV was not a household gadget for all. Yet, such a genius was he that people could have enough idea of the man's brilliance from the recorded matches telecast for viewers later on.
In Bangladesh, therefore, the flags of these two countries outnumber others. This year, although Brazil has the favourite's tag, a magician in the shape of Messi from Argentina has captured the imagination of football fans. He has a large following in this part of the world. Although Neymar is a rising player, he too is very popular here. Yet it seems Argentina has a clear edge so far as hoisting the flags of favourite team is concerned. At times, the football frenzy is taken to a new height with fans defending their own territories. However, peaceful co-existence of flags and the fans behind those this year is the usual trend. So long flags of the teams have never been desecrated even if fans of the two nations were not in the best of terms.
Then will not a dispassionate assessment of such flag hoisting expose something unsavoury in our national psyche? A country wallowing way behind the leading football nations may hope to achieve football laurels at international levels. Nothing wrong with it. But when the secret dream has to be fulfilled through another nation, something trouble from behind. That is not a pleasant feeling in any way.
    (e-mail: [email protected])