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Xtra Time Web Desk: The Nainamvalappu Football Fans Association, a prominent football fan club in Kerala, has taken a significant step to address the disappointment of many Indian football enthusiasts by faxing a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. They have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to ensure that the Copa America 2024 matches, currently taking place in the US, are broadcast live for Indian viewers on a sports channel or Doordarshan.

The absence of live telecasts or live streaming of the Copa America, which runs from June 20 to July 14, has left countless Indian football fans disheartened. In their letter, the association underscored football’s massive popularity in India and the widespread appeal of South American teams like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and Colombia. These teams feature iconic players such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Alexis Sanchez, and Arturo Vidal. "As you are aware, football is the world’s largest and most popular game and it has millions of fans in India alone," the association wrote to Modi, emphasizing that depriving Indian fans of watching these stars in action would be unfortunate.

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N.V. Subair, the founder-president of the association, highlighted the significance of this Copa America edition, noting it might be the last opportunity to watch legends like Messi, Suarez, Sanchez, and Vidal play in a major tournament for their national teams. "By not telecasting the games in India, football fans are being robbed of a great opportunity to see them and their teams perform," he said.

In Kerala, much like in Bengal, football fans are divided between supporters of Argentina and Brazil, with smaller groups backing Portugal, England, or Germany, who are currently playing in Euro 2024 in Germany. The association has been screening Euro matches at their office, attracting large crowds, which Subair points to as evidence of football’s passionate following in Kerala. He believes it is grossly unfair for fans to miss out on the Copa America.

Subair reminisced about the days when DD Sports broadcast the Copa America in the '90s and expressed hope that the PMO could influence Doordarshan to televise the games. While Euro 2024 matches are available on Sony Sports, the demand for Copa America coverage has been strong on social media. Despite initial reports about potential online streaming, no concrete plans have been confirmed.

"As a football fan, I feel that such matches must be broadcast on television since watching online is not a good option. Football is to be watched and enjoyed in groups, not sitting in front of someone’s computer or mobile phone," Subair stated, highlighting the inadequacy of online viewing due to poor bandwidth.

Hifsul Rahman, owner of the KMG Football Club in Mavoor, Kozhikode, echoed Subair’s sentiments and mentioned that his club was also considering writing to the government for the broadcast. "All football fans, whether in Kerala or elsewhere, feel let down with no opportunity to watch the Copa America," Rahman said.

Read More: Copa America 2024: Argentina defeats Chile by a narrow margin

KMG FC, a nationally registered football club active in seven-a-side tournaments in north Kerala, has been screening Euro matches. The enthusiasm for football in the region is evident, especially during World Cups, when giant cutouts of star players adorn the skyline in districts like Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Wayanad.

Argentina's national football association has even expressed interest in playing friendlies in Kerala in October 2025, recognizing the massive support for the Albiceleste in the state. This gesture follows a reception hosted by Argentina’s ambassador to India, Hugo Javier Gobbi, for Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Delhi in April 2023, to thank the state's football fans for their support during the 2022 World Cup.