IFFI host agency organises free screening of FIFA matches

Panaji, July 3 (IANS) The Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), co-organiser of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), will telecast the FIFA matches free of cost for football lovers in Goa, a senior official said.

Indian athlete Milkha Singh would attend the telecast of FIFA World Cup's final match, the official said.

The screenings would be held from July 4 at a 1,500-seater indoor facility in Fatorda, town located 35 km south of Panaji, Damu Naik, chairman of the ESG, told IANS Wednesday.

"Goans love football and the screening facility will help them catch the matches in company of large groups of friends. We are making it available for them," Naik said.

The first match to be screened at the facility will be the France versus Germany July 4.

"We have received corporate support for these screenings, so much so that viewers who make it to the facility will be provided free soft drinks," Naik said.

He also said 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', a Bollywood biopic on star Indian athlete Milkha Singh, will be screened during the semi-final match July 13.

"Milkha Singh will be personally there during the final. We will also be screening other sports-related matches like 'Iqbal' before match-hour," he said.

The ESG, a state government agency, started to promote films and film culture in India co-hosts the IFFI in Goa along with the Directorate of Film Festivals, which functions under the ministry for information and broadcasting.