Enjoy World Cup screenings, responsibly

Public screenings are a quintessential part of the Bangladeshi World Cup ritual. These screenings are entertaining and exciting for fans, but often cross boundaries, causing many problems in the process.

Public screenings are often organised in busy intersections or residential areas. As fans gather on the roads, the traffic comes to a standstill, putting commuters in an awkward position. The excessive noise produced from these screenings and the fans in attendance also causes a lot of problems for people living in those areas.

A few nuanced steps can go a long way towards solving these issues. 

Match screenings should be done away from residential areas. As each broadcast attracts thousands of fans, organising them in big parks and open spaces makes more sense. Additionally, law enforcement presence can maintain law and order by ensuring fans don't vandalise flags, which is a sign of disrespect or harassing opponent fans. Such presence ensures a safe and congenial environment for public match screenings.

For smaller screenings, restaurants offer a potential solution. Fan groups can book restaurants in advance so they can enjoy the screenings without much hassle or being bothered by the cold weather. 

If the screening is a big one, fans can hire convention centres instead of crowding the roads. It will be particularly effective for midnight games, as residents won't have to put up with the noise problems. It might keep the screening atmosphere relatively peaceful as well, as fans will be bound to follow the civic rules diligently. It negates the prospect of clashes between rival fans.

The enthusiasm regarding football is at an all-time high, especially among the youth. Naturally, they are the ones offering the feistiest support during these screenings. University halls are also ideal for screenings, although they will be limited to the university's students and staff only. Nevertheless, the success of Daffodil International University's screening of Argentina-Mexico and Dhaka University's broadcast of Brazil-Switzerland, making waves in the world of football, shows the untapped potential of university halls as unofficial fan zones. 

As far as fans are concerned, they have a big role to play in making the screenings a success. I have seen Brazil fans in my neighbourhood vandalising German flags after Germany lost to Japan. It is disrespectful to Germany and contradictory to the ethos of the World Cup. 

Fans should be respectful of other people's choices and avoid defacing foreign flags and rival fans. They should respect each other's boundaries and enjoy themselves without creating any nuisance for others. Fireworks should be avoided as fans might get burned by stray fireworks. Even a minor miscalculation can be deadly.  

Watching the games together, organisers should be mindful that the sound pollution is within acceptable limits. This doesn't imply fans can't celebrate goals or victories. Rather they should be careful and make sure they don't bang door-to-door or scream their lungs out after midnight. Many are fast asleep during these times. Besides, there might be sick or elderly people living in those areas as well, and loud noises can be detrimental to their health. 

For avid fans, it's natural they will enjoy themselves to the fullest during public screenings, but they must ensure it's done sensibly and make sure civic boundaries are not crossed.

Inqiad is a passionate Bucks fan and a certified Giannis stan. Contact him at inqiadali007@gmail.com