Cashing in on World Cup fever

PATNA: The lovers of the game could hope for a bonanza during the cricket World Cup 2003. Predict a maiden over bowled by Anil Kumble during a Cup match and get a complimentary glass of "Kumble Blush" -- a wine made of strawberry. But there are rules. You or your family of four will get this drink if you join the combined team of LG India Ltd and Hotel Maurya at "Googly 2003" in watching any of the World Cup matches to be played in South Africa on a giant screen at the hotel.The cuisines have also been named after cricket stars. While "Sachin Tandoori Chicken" has been named after India's star batsman, "Kaif Kulfi" will provide sweetness. Bacchus followers will get an opportunity to taste "Shehwag Cocktail" made of rum and ginger. "Shehwag is a flamboyant cricketer who has a 'cocktail' of shots in his armoury," reasons B D Singh, general manager of the Hotel Maurya. The ambience in the restaurant will remind the visitors of a cricket field with tables placed on green mats and menu written on the cards resembling bats and pads, says Singh. "Besides, every table will have a red cherry kept on it," he adds. To add more colour to the event, Madan Lal, a member of the World Cup winning side in 1983, will be present on February 9, says the co-sponsor, Shantanu B Phukan, branch manager of the LG India. The duo had organised the "LG-Maurya Soccer Festival" during the Fifa World Cup in May-June 2002. The bonanza, however, does not end here. The LG India will also organise quiz programmes daily and suitably reward the winners. A leading beverage company, Coca-Cola, too, has come up with a "Thums-Up face the thunder challenge" to cash in on the World Cup fever. "A unique thunder van with a set-up of nets, cricket gear and a bowling machine has been placed to give a true feel of the game," says Durgesh Telang, area general manager of the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd. "The machine bowls at the batsman at a speed of 65 mph, and if a player succeeds in playing even two of the deliveries, he will win T-shirts and certificates," says Telang. The event will also provide a chance to the winners to qualify for a national meet in Mumbai, and the two lucky winners among the finalists will go on a free holiday trip to Australia, says Jagbandhu Kar, the company's sales manager. The competition will continue till February 9 at different venues in the city. The cinema halls of Patna also do not lag behind. Chanakya which has been lying closed for the last few years, in collaboration with the Danapur sub-area cantonment, will show the World Cup matches live on its screen from February 11.