Guwahati, July 15 (IANS) Football frenzy continues to sweep Assam with the Chief Minister’s FIFA Fan Park initiative reaching Lakhimpur after successful editions in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Jorhat, reflecting the Northeast’s enduring passion for the sport during the FIFA World Cup, officials said on Wednesday.

The Lakhimpur Fan Park, set up by the district administration under the patronage of local MLA Manab Deka, will allow football enthusiasts to watch late-night World Cup matches on giant screens, recreating the atmosphere of a stadium for thousands of fans.

The initiative is expected to draw youngsters, families and football lovers from across the district, who traditionally stay up through the night to follow the biggest football tournament despite the time difference.

The expansion of the Fan Park to another district underlines football’s unique cultural significance in the Northeast, where the sport commands a following unmatched in most other parts of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Deka said that football has always occupied a special place in the hearts of people in the region.

“In India, cricket is undoubtedly a religion. But at the same time, in the Northeast, football is the heartbeat,” he added.

He said that football transcends borders, languages and cultures and has the power to unite communities through a shared passion.

According to Deka, the CM FIFA Fan Park is aimed at enabling fans to experience the excitement of the World Cup together in a festive atmosphere closer to home while strengthening the spirit of community participation.

The initiative comes at a time when excitement surrounding the tournament has reached its peak with the World Cup entering the knockout stage.

Fans geared up for Wednesday night’s high-voltage semi-final between France and Spain, while the second last-four clash between England and Argentina will follow.

The third-place play-off is scheduled for July 18, while the World Cup final will be played on July 19, promising several more nights of football celebrations across Assam.

The Fan Park initiative has emerged as a popular community event in the state, bringing together supporters of different teams and age groups under one roof and reaffirming the Northeast’s reputation as one of India’s strongest football bastions.

–IANS

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