John Abraham is a man on a mission. An energetic lap around the stadium before NorthEast United FC’s game against Kerala Blasters FC, pumped up the crowd to roar their throats out. This was followed by an impassioned speech from the centre of the pitch that egged the crowd on to support their team. He was a complete maestro, a conductor at the heart of a wonderful football symphony that echoed throughout the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. “He is completely involved,” remarked former French international, Olivier Dacourt, who was watching the Bollywood heartthrob from the stands. “He is an owner who is passionate and committed to the cause and you can see that he has the crowd on his side.”

The stadium was a sight to behold. Men, women and children impassioned by the sight of their team taking a lap around the stadium made their feelings very vocal. An hour before the game kicked off, almost two-thirds of the stadium was full, bursting with colour and chants. I was totally taken aback by the passion that the people of the North-east showed for football and quite pleasantly surprised by their understanding of the game. Post their team’s victorious start to the campaign, the fans stayed on long after the whistle was blown to applaud their heroes off the pitch. A group of young lads, all clad in orange, who had come to watch the match, all the way from Shillong, bellowed their hearts out. NorthEast United responded in kind, with the players walking over to the edge of the pitch and acknowledging the stellar support.

My cab driver, Roki Boro, who was driving me from my hotel to the stadium on the eve of NorthEast United’s game against Atlético de Kolkata, is a prime example of how the people are tuned in to the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). “I was not happy with the way NorthEast United hung on for the win. They should have pushed on and scored more goals,” he quipped, while providing his analysis of the club’s first game. Roki revealed that he had sponsored tickets for 25 members of his village so that they could come and watch the home side play, “People here are not that much into cricket, they are football fanatics. I hope that the ISL brings out the best in Indian football. I do not mind sponsoring more tickets if the games and the atmosphere are this good.”

Another wonderful experience that befell me was my journey back to my hotel from the stadium in a police convoy. As our jeep whizzed through the deserted streets, the policemen relaxed and discussed the game animatedly. “Durga Boro deserved a goal,” remarked one, “what a right foot the boy has!” “Boithang runs like a deer!” chimed his colleague, “they should have started with him. He could have scored some goals!” When I asked them if they followed football regularly, all of them replied in unison, “Of course! All of us went to watch the national championship that was won by Mizoram last year. We watch football whenever we can.”

To cap it all, I was mistaken for a NorthEast United player by my house-keeping maid. “Do you play for John Abraham’s team, sir?” she asked. How I wish I could have said yes! But sadly, I had to dispel her notions and explain what I actually do to her. My sadness was blown away by NEUFC goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas who ran into me at the team hotel. “You should come for all of our games. Maybe, you are our lucky charm,” he joked. Not me, I thought to myself, more likely the thousands of passionate fans who turn up to watch their beloved team play.