Chennaiyin FC fan club launches orphan campaign through matchday poster

“As fans, we are looking to popularise the sports culture among the less privileged children.” This football season, a group of fierce Chennaiyin FC loyalists proved they are capable of serious social impact. Last week, a coterie of these supporters visited a Chennai-based orphanage, namely New Hope and New Life Children Home, in a bid to support a good cause. The fans took to social media to share the motif of their campaign through a matchday poster, ahead of their team's clash with FC Goa.

Not only matching it up with their efforts in the stands but the B-Stand Blues, as the fans have christened themselves, have shown a good streak in them that many others are willing to follow. Well, the message of charity isn’t lost on the players either, with the team’s most capped player Jeje Lalpekhlua paying several visits to charity centres in Chennai and urging more young players to contribute to charities, either on an official footing with clubs or through solo efforts. However, it isn’t just Jeje leading by example, many players do their bit to help contribute to society and the people around them.

In an interaction with The Bridge, Neeraj Bhardwaj, who was part of the campaign, avered:

For fans like Neeraj, the aim is to work with local causes that are not privileged enough to enjoy the limelight. The endeavour doesn’t stop here, as Neeraj explains, “A few kids showed interest in visiting the stadiums and watching their favourite players play in the field. We are looking forward to training these kids in an attempt to get more children involved with the sport and the club. That is like a long-term plan for us.” However, escorting the kids onto the pitch and training them will definitely create more opportunities in the sport, believes Vidyut Aggrawal, who identifies himself as an avid follower of the club.

“It is nice that the fans are embracing a good cause. It is always good to see youngsters come out and be associated with a charity that cares for these little children. Their visit made the children happy. I want more people to come out and support us, support the children here,” Mr Wilson, founder of the orphanage, told The Bridge.

One cannot simply forget those who go above the call of duty to help others in need. Chennaiyin fans, through their endeavour to give back to the society in diverse ways, have truly imbibed the meaning of ‘joy of giving’. If now it is those hundred lives that were touched, let us hope many more will be too, in the coming months.