As much as I like watching football, there seems to be an overload of World Cup related exposure everywhere I turn these few weeks. It’s everywhere – on the idiot box, on radio, in the papers, incoming text messages, on the billboards, every available space is filled with it.
Football translates into money, even in a country like Malaysia, which isn’t even remotely participating in the games (at least Singapore has a few referees there…). With non-football fans and the everyman on the street going ga-ga over Argentina and Brazil (“Brazil sure win one, I only support Brazil!â€), there millions of bucks to be made. Here’s who I think makes the most money in the whole World Cup month:
Bookies – this goes without saying. Actually, they make money every month of the year on everything – horses, EPL, share market, MIC elections, etc. It’s just that come World Cup once every 4 years, there are suddenly more suckers willing to part with their money for just ‘one more ball’.
The mamak stall operators – Have you seen these places during matches? Suddenly Malaysian traffic code is suspended temporarily when they take over the whole road with their chairs and tables. Granted, you need a freaking big projection TV to draw the Astro-less football-kakis, but if you have one, and if the weather is good, the crowd will come. Downside, some cheap blokes order a cup of ‘teh tarik’ and nothing else, or worse off, run off after the match without paying.
The telcos – Believe the hype. Considering the amount of money they spent to be the main sponsors, you can imagine the revenue they need to rake it to make up for it. But no worries for them, Malaysians have a tendency of sending an average of 5.5 text messages during the course of one game.
The pasar malam stall guy selling fake football jersey – want to own an almost authentic Ronaldinho jersey (although the last time you kicked a ball was in Primary 4), but are too cheap to pay RM256.99 for the original Nike? Worry not! Go down to the pasar malam or Pertama Complex and get it for RM39! You want the Beckham red England one? Can! We even got a cheaper RM24 one if you want! But of course quality not so good lah. What’s that? Luca Toni ah? Sorry lah, itu talak lah… Henan Crispo mau?
13 Comments
Jee
You forgot the pubs.. bookies still rules nonetheless.
Nicktay
I wanted to buy the jerseys, but alas didn;t get to go pasar malam 🙁
Ken
I’ve got an authentic Crespo Chelsea jersey… and when I wore it proudly to a friend’s house, he was wearing the exact same one… which is bought in pasar malam… -_-“”
Dr Han
Beckham’s goal rescuesed Eriksson in some kind of degree to say. Because match passed 60 minutes, the English team has not certainly displayed .Compared to the Ecuador more outstanding control, England has not displayed more outstanding fighting method, even has not made has the threat compared to Ecuador shooting. Except the Beckham, Eriksson also must thanks A.Cole, who play the left road , defended Ecuador’s right road attack, More than once ,he face to both Delacruz and a Valencia .Ecuadoran haven’t right road attack opportunity,That’s thanks to A.cole. otherwise perhaps in front of the Beckham. Ecuador goaled.
Anyway,.Good luck England! Come on England!.
http://www.fifaworldcup-yahoo.co.uk
Dr Han (Super England football fans,Chinese doctor)
PAIN IN BRISTOL– http://www.backachetherapy.co.uk
Jayelle
lol damn funny. the last time you played footie was back in std4? poor thing;( time to make some sons with your wife lah simon:)
inevitable
Pasar malam one no standard. You want to get the A++ replica, you got to buy it near Pertama Complex or get it direct from Bangkok
Adam
A lot of cheap imitation jerseys here (from across the border). No I didn’t buy any because I am not a football fan and I prefer cotton whereas all of these seem to be made from synthetic material. Not good in our hot humid weather.
simon
nicktay – mongolia no night markets?
jee – pubs got atmosphere, but crowded la. i still prefer mamak. or at home.
ken – ai, you chelsea fan ka?
dr. han – nice commentary, doc.
jayelle – eh, not me lah. the last time i played was… er… 4 years ago… at least not std 4 la…
inevitable – but pasar malam operators make lots of money from it, nonetheless. says a lot about Malaysians, really.
adam – actually some of the original Nike jerseys are also made from the prickly synthetic materials. itches when its hot.
Naz
Did you know that price of fake jerseys are also susceptible to supply and demand. I checked out the ones in near Pertama BEFORE the World Cup and it costs RM40. Yesterday, I went to check it out again, and the price is now RM69!!!
disco-very
Apparently even those ‘free’ sms updates from Maxis are a con job too. They charge you every time you send a reply to cancel the service, and my friend just told me his mom has been doing that countless times but the updates still come in!
Ken
Ai? Am I the only person in a 100km radius that supports chelsea?
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