Chennai city Arsenal fans score a clean-up goal

CHENNAI: It has only been a few years since a bunch of young Arsenal fans in the city decided to form a fan club and call it Arsenal Chennai Supporters Club.
What is interesting is that they have not only grown in number in a small span of time but have also been creating an impact with their social commitment of late.
At least for this fan club in the city, their spirit for the game and social consciousness are closely linked.Yes, these are the guys in Arsenal jersies, spotted at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the city cleaning up the stands after every Chennai match during the ongoing football extravaganza.
They started the initiative for the previous two matches at the stadium, but they say the response has been overwhelming.
Venkat Dhandapani, who mooted the idea in the club, says, "There are two things that caught my attention - first, the way Japanese fans took the effort to clean up the stadiums after every Japan match during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and second, the same initiative being carried out by the FC Goa fans in Indian Super League (ISL)."
While it is the love for Arsenal and football that has brought these youngsters together, Venkat states that this initiative is nothing but a small step from their side to keep the city clean.
"It is every individual’s social duty to keep his/her surroundings clean. It doesn’t take more than 30 to 45 minutes to clean a couple of blocks in the stadium. The last two times we cleaned, we collected around eight to nine bags of garbage. After we finish cleaning, we hand it over to the cleaning staff at the stadium," says Venkat.
Another member of the club, U Aravindan, adds, "Interestingly, once people started noticing what were doing, there were at least a few who joined us. That was very encouraging. And a few felt guilty and promised us they will not to litter hereafter."
So, how will the initiative be taken forward? "We will continue to do the same after every match in Chennai. But if we are joined by other football fan clubs in the city, it is well and good," concludes Karthik Deivarayam from the club.