It was some time in mid-2016 that I got the news of Arsenal hosting a FAN SCREENING outside the UK. The screening was then scheduled to be held in Mumbai, India, on November 6, 2016 - the North London Derby.
It was an invite-only event and all the gunner fans had to register to get an invite for the screening. The limit, 1000 fans only! A lot of us tried and disappointingly, we were on the waiting list to get an invite.
It was just over a week left for the NLD Screening in Mumbai, that I got a news that PUMA, in association with Arsenal Bangalore Supporters Club will be giving out passes to the event. The bonus, free travel to Mumbai and back. The only requirement was that one had to confirm their travel with the organisers to get an invite to the screening. I just made sure I did not miss this chance. Felt like destiny had given me one and only chance to be at the first-ever Club-hosted fan screening in India. It was also announced that Super ROB, Robert Pires will be the host of the evening and boy! we Gooners were super excited!
November 5th, 2016. Saturday, Bengaluru
The day we all gathered at the starting point, The ISKCON Temple. I got to meet a lot of new people who were coming along on the journey to Mumbai. PUMA had arranged for a chartered bus, with complete Arsenal and PUMA branding on it! We took some pictures and we were off! A few of them who were supposed to reach us had faced issues on the way and were delayed! They were coming from Chennai and we picked them up on the highway en route [the journey from their bus to our PUMA bus is one heck of a story - Read it here: Shivashish Patri's Blog post] We all spent time getting to know each other, chatted a bit and then got along to watch Bengaluru FC play the AFC Cup final at Doha [sadly they lost]. We stopped at a nice place for dinner, really sumptuous food and we were back on the road!
November 6th, 2016. Sunday, Mumbai
Touchdown Mumbai! We reached the hotel where they had arranged rooms for all of us to freshen up and get ready for the screening. Once ready, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and off we go to the location of the Fan Screening. There was a traffic jam on the way and we thought of going out walking, but PUMA had different plans in place. The moment our bus entered the premises, all the cameras and people turn towards the bus like there was an entry of stars of sorts. What's more? Gunnersaurus comes to welcome us, we were given a star-like welcome and BOY! what a feeling it had been! A lot of selfies, pictures and more pictures later, we get our wristbands and in we went!
There were a lot of activities lined up before the start of the match and I got to witness some top class freestyle football tricks and a picture with Santi Cazorla! The atmosphere was buzzing as we were gearing up for the game! Some pleasantries later, there came ROBERT PIRES on stage! speeches aside, it was the first time I saw him LIVE.
The atmosphere throughout the game was nothing short of what it is usually at the screenings of a football match. Half-time break, and a few contests which a few lucky Gooners won some great prizes. What did I win you ask? I got my Arsenal Jersey signed by the man himself, Robert Pires. Lot of us did get his signature on a lot of apparel and accessories and it's a great feeling to get it as well. I've got my jersey framed and it is now adorning the wall in the living room of my home.
All went well that day except for the result of the match, which ended at 1-1. But, not to lose hope as we had a cracker of a day overall and I just cannot get over it till date! Dinner and a little rest later, we were on our way back to Bangalore. Tons of memories and happy moments will live forever in my memory. 2016 has truly been one of the best years of my life!
A special thanks is due to all the following:
Arsenal FC
Arsenal Mumbai SC
Arsenal Bangalore SC
PUMA India
Reliance JIO [The one who made sure we had internet without limits]
and all those who made this possible and a great success!
Until my next post,
Stay happy, stay blessed and be positive, don't lose hope!
It was an invite-only event and all the gunner fans had to register to get an invite for the screening. The limit, 1000 fans only! A lot of us tried and disappointingly, we were on the waiting list to get an invite.
It was just over a week left for the NLD Screening in Mumbai, that I got a news that PUMA, in association with Arsenal Bangalore Supporters Club will be giving out passes to the event. The bonus, free travel to Mumbai and back. The only requirement was that one had to confirm their travel with the organisers to get an invite to the screening. I just made sure I did not miss this chance. Felt like destiny had given me one and only chance to be at the first-ever Club-hosted fan screening in India. It was also announced that Super ROB, Robert Pires will be the host of the evening and boy! we Gooners were super excited!
November 5th, 2016. Saturday, Bengaluru
The day we all gathered at the starting point, The ISKCON Temple. I got to meet a lot of new people who were coming along on the journey to Mumbai. PUMA had arranged for a chartered bus, with complete Arsenal and PUMA branding on it! We took some pictures and we were off! A few of them who were supposed to reach us had faced issues on the way and were delayed! They were coming from Chennai and we picked them up on the highway en route [the journey from their bus to our PUMA bus is one heck of a story - Read it here: Shivashish Patri's Blog post] We all spent time getting to know each other, chatted a bit and then got along to watch Bengaluru FC play the AFC Cup final at Doha [sadly they lost]. We stopped at a nice place for dinner, really sumptuous food and we were back on the road!
November 6th, 2016. Sunday, Mumbai
Touchdown Mumbai! We reached the hotel where they had arranged rooms for all of us to freshen up and get ready for the screening. Once ready, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and off we go to the location of the Fan Screening. There was a traffic jam on the way and we thought of going out walking, but PUMA had different plans in place. The moment our bus entered the premises, all the cameras and people turn towards the bus like there was an entry of stars of sorts. What's more? Gunnersaurus comes to welcome us, we were given a star-like welcome and BOY! what a feeling it had been! A lot of selfies, pictures and more pictures later, we get our wristbands and in we went!
A special thanks is due to all the following:
Arsenal FC
Arsenal Mumbai SC
Arsenal Bangalore SC
PUMA India
Reliance JIO [The one who made sure we had internet without limits]
and all those who made this possible and a great success!
Until my next post,
Stay happy, stay blessed and be positive, don't lose hope!
