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The Largest Sports Goods Market in Asia

Located adjacent to the expansive maidan and the iconic Eden Gardens is a sports lover’s paradise – the largest sports goods market in Asia. Spanning half a kilometer, this bustling stretch is the go-to destination for every aspiring sportsman in the city.

As you enter, badminton racquets sway from creaking ceilings, cricket bats of all shapes, sizes, and wood varieties catch your eye, and football boots hang precariously on glass showcases. Golden trophies, dazzling under the glare of tube lights, add a touch of grandeur to the scene.

“Every sportsman’s journey starts here, not on the maidan,” says Rahman Ali, the proud owner of Palace Sports, established in 1965. Ali’s grandfather, like many shop owners, had migrated from East Pakistan after the partition.

Ali proudly recounts stories of famous customers such as Abbas Ali Baig, who purchased a pair of shoes without paying, and Dhoni, who once bought gloves from the store. He fondly remembers encountering Shami before he made it into the Indian team, though now he can only use foreign goods.

While Shami’s jerseys may currently be out of stock, Palace Sports typically holds more jerseys of Rohit and Virat. However, with the unexpected rise in popularity of their bowlers, more jerseys are set to arrive tomorrow, just in time for the match.

During the World Cup, Palace Sports experiences a surge in sales, capitalizing on the three-week sports season. On average, they sell around 200-300 jerseys per day, and on match-days, the numbers skyrocket even further. However, the shopkeepers can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment as they are unable to leave their shops and cheer for the match happening so close by in the stadium.

In Search of a Selfie

As the number of jersey-hunters continues to increase, the narrow passageways of the market seem even narrower. Some stop to chat about Shami’s impressive performance against Sri Lanka or discuss whether Virat Kohli will equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record at the Eden Gardens. The nearby bus station, ferrying cricket enthusiasts from all corners of the state, and the cluster of hotels in the New Market Area create a bustling atmosphere in this already crowded part of the city.

Occasionally, visitors wander into the iconic Eden Gardens, passing by the kite-fliers on the Maidan. These marching cadet scouts journey past numerous sports clubs, catching glimpses of the Lesilie Claudius Sarai, named after the city’s most renowned hockey star. Some are in search of the perfect selfie, while others simply want to soak in the electrifying atmosphere.

“You should come after six,” advises a policeman to a curious pair of tourists. It is at this hour when the storied stadium begins to glow. Nearby, tired policemen lean against walls or rest on cane fences. The buzz in the humid air is palpable. When the list of World Cup games was announced, the city was initially disheartened that it would not host any of India’s marquee matches. However, destiny had other plans, granting the city the most competitive game of the tournament – India versus South Africa. Although South Africa was not initially considered a strong contender, they have now become the second favorites.

Days leading up to the match seem to drag on for eternity. Fans linger around the stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of the team during practice sessions. Policemen, weary from constantly shooing away excited youngsters, resort to shouting and brandishing their canes in frustration. Nevertheless, the crowd keeps coming.

A Kolkata Cup Connection

Passersby are constantly asked the age-old question: “Do you have a ticket?” This inquiry could come from a casual passerby or a desperate fan looking for a ticket, or even a tout on the lookout for potential buyers willing to pay a premium. Among them is Ebrahim, a South African supporter from Durban who arrived in Kolkata without a ticket. Draped in a South African flag, Ebrahim contemplates his options – either buying a ticket from the black market or relying on the generosity of fellow South African fans. He explains that he was so eager to attend the World Cup that he didn’t bother securing a ticket in advance. His spontaneity led him to call a friend from Cape Town, and together, they embarked on this thrilling journey.

Ebrahim believes that it was destiny that brought him to Kolkata. He recalls South Africa’s cricketing history in the city, from their first match after reintroduction to winning their first Test match in India. He hopes to witness something extraordinary during this World Cup as well. Another connection with Kolkata lies in the fact that Jagmohan Dalmiya, an influential cricket administrator responsible for bringing South Africa back into the international cricket fold, hailed from this very city. Thanks to a meeting between then West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and South Africa cricket board administrator Ali Bacher, the historic series was organized within a week.

The team’s arrival in a chartered flight was met with a raucous welcome. After the match, captain Clive Rice emotionally declared, “I know how Neil Armstrong felt when he stood on the moon.” A picture capturing him and his teammates bowing down with folded hands as a gesture of gratitude to the crowd still resonates as the most historic moment in South African cricket history.

As two of the strongest teams in the World Cup gear up to clash at the Eden Gardens, a sense of history pervades the iconic stadium. Symbolically and literally, a whole ecosystem awaits the match, eager to witness unforgettable moments unfold on the hallowed grounds.

Source: Indian Express