|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cricket World Aaron Kumar Interviews BA Founder Rakesh Patel
December 7, 2006, 12:00 pm GMT
|
|
Bharat Army Plan England Invasion
11 July 2007
World Cricket boasts passionate fans, across the globe, the yellow shirted fanatics from Australia, those exuberant yet rhythmical fans in the Caribbean all spring immediately to mind.
However, what better way to support your country, than to send out an army of followers. For the past decade this is exactly what the England team have enjoyed, by way of support from the now famous 'Barmy Army', these loyal fans travel the world to follow England and are renowned for their innovative songs and chants. Andrew Flintoff, England’s premier all-rounder, currently sidelined by injury admits that the Barmy Army in England is like having a 12th man and in many cases has given England the edge in many a tight game.
This summer however the Barmy Army will need to look over the shoulder because the Indians are coming to town, and they are going to have an army of their own in their corner.
I caught up with Rakesh Patel, one of the founders of the Bharat Army, to find out what inspired the idea of this support group, and what England fans and the rest of the world can expect from the Bharat Army, both in the forthcoming tour of England and in the future.
What year was the Bharat Army Founded?
Bharat Army was founded in 1999, when four die-hard Indian Cricket supporters, from four different regions of England met during the World Cup in 1999.
What inspired the concept of the Bharat Army?
The need for a supporters group for the most passionate cricket supporters, in the world. Wherever India play they pack out the stadiums- Indians are worldwide so like the Barmy Army, we wanted to create a united voice in support of Indian Cricket.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
There have been many, but the proudest was when India beat Pakistan in the World Cup 2003 in South Africa, after the game we invited the Indian team to party and celebrate the victory with the Bharat Army. Every player turned up! The Photo’s are on the website! A very surreal experience, partying and celebrating a victory in the World Cup, with your archrivals being the people who made it happen!
What recent series or event did the BA have their biggest turn out?
We have many events, which attract varied numbers but we took over 700 people to the World Cup in the West Indies, which was a great effort considering the majority of these people travelled knowing that India has already been knocked out!
You have supporters in the States and Canada, is it fair to say that the Bharat Army is on its way to becoming a global cricketing phenomenon?
That was our aim when we started the group and its fair to say we are well on our way to achieving our goal.
With the India touring England this summer and the BA being based in England, how special will the tour be for the BA?
Massive, when we speak to the players they always say playing in England is like “home away from home” because of the tremendous support we give them.
Can you make more noise than the Barmy Army?
We certainly have more musical instruments and what I will say is that we cheer a wide as loud as a six.
What is it you are striving to change or perhaps improve in the Bharat Army, in order to take it to another level in the next couple of years?
We want to create a portal where we offer more than just a forum for people to talk cricket, we want every Indian cricket supporter to be a member of the Bharat Army.
Finally I have to ask you, a prediction for the 3 Test and 7 ODI match series against England.
Tests 1-1
ODIS 4-3 to India of course.
Rakesh’s prediction about the series outcome is in line with many experts who feel we are set up for a cracking summer of cricket, the emergence of the Bharat Army would suggest that competition off the field may well be as fierce as on it.
Lets hope the series lives up to expectations and produces a classic hard fought contest.
Plenty is riding on the Test series as England and India are effectively vying to be the number 2 team in the world in Test cricket.
© Aaron Kumar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
