Kolkata: The final of the Copa America and Euro Cup on the same day usually marks busy activities in the Maidan market in run-up to a large sporting event.
Fans from all cities and even districts generally gather here to buy Messi or Jersey Neymar or Harry Kane T-shirts.
But then, it was pre-covid.
On Saturday, with hours to leave before the final Sunday morning, Brazil, and Argentina shirts piled in the corner.
Mohammed Nadim, who has spent 23 years in this market, sounded hopeless.
“We usually order 800 jerseys before this main tournament.
This year, we ordered just one tenth of it.
We weren’t even sure whether our shops would open this month,” he said.
Fans released a hot air balloon to mark the opportunity for two finalsmd back-to-back riyaz, another seller, said they had been hit twice.
“Our losses doubled after the IPL stopped at Midway and Eden Gardens did not get the KKR match.
Now, the two biggest tournaments are missing.
We also do not have shares (because of transportation and turn off smaller textile units in Covid time) or customers,” he said.
According to other traders SK Kabir Ahmed, their main clients are young people from the suburbs.
“The train doesn’t run and even a remote bus from Esplanade is numbered.
Why are there people who burn holes in their pockets and come to buy a shirt here?” He asked.
Riyaz and Ahmed said their regular clients tried to stand next to them by buying a flag.
“Every shop has sold Brazilian and Argentina flags – worth RS 500-RS 800 – in the last 48 hours …
Buyers are ordinary local club members and soccer fans.
But even then, these numbers are far below the average,” Riyaz Riyaz.
“With these events also passed, surviving in large quantities now beyond our ability because the virus has cut our income brutally.” Another seller said.