Tifos are visual and often exorbitant displays of flags and banners, displaying quotes and signage particularly during football games. Nations and several footballing cultures have their own ways of showing their love for their teams. India is not immune to that.
It is arguable that the popularity of football has been largely limited to certain traditional pockets in the country, i.e. north-eastern India, West Bengal, Goa, and Kerala. That has not stopped the expression of tifos from emerging whole-heartedly in certain situations, though they have been finite. Here are some examples of the same.
Manjappada’s 103-Meter Tifo
The Manjappada is one of the loudest and passionate fan bases in India, supporting Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). Back in 2022, during a southern derby with Bengaluru FC, Manjappada made heads turn by the unveiling of a 103-meter tifo that said “football is for everyone.” The tifo was spanning across stands, taking a stand to show inclusivity within football. Manjappada aimed to bring unity amongst diversity at the forefront in the sport, bringing fans from different strata together in the stadium, even producing one of the biggest demonstrations of organic fan culture in the ISL’s decade-long history.
East Bengal Ultras’ 10,000 Sq Ft Tifo
East Bengal FC is one of the most prominent football clubs in India, and the Red & Gold Brigade are renowned for their continued support to the team irrespective of their many ups and downs. Right now, they are a part of the ISL, but their last season in the I-League was a memorable one from the perspective of their supporters. During a league match against Real Kashmir FC, the East Bengal FC ultras showcased a huge 10,000 sq ft tifo, capturing five of their historical achievements, and connecting parallels between the rich past and the present of the club.
Blue Pilgrims honour Talimeran Ao
The Blue Pilgrims are the dedicated fan group of the Indian national football team. It consists of several fans from the respective club groups as well, such as the West Coast Brigade, the West Block Blues, amongst others. Back in 2019, the Blue Pilgrims laid out a remarkable tifo for former Indian captain Talimeran Ao during a qualifying match against Oman for the 2022 FIFA World Cup that was held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
The initiative displayed a portrait of Ao, sealing his iconic stature in the history of Indian football. Ao was the captain of the Indian team in the 1948 Olympics and also held the degree of a doctor. The tifo looked to honour his contributions towards steering the Indian society forward both on and off the field. India lost that game to Oman by 2-1, but this enterprising move by the Blue Pilgrims certainly left a lasting impact.
These tifos and banners serve as a testament to the passion of Indian football followers. In addition to coming across as striking visual sights, they also bring together wider cultural, social narratives, solidifying the tagline that “football is more than just a game.”
