Scottish game Swamp Soccer comes to India

Convergence Events Pvt Ltd have signed exclusive rights with Scotland-based Swamp Soccer UK Ltd to bring game in India; the maiden tournament will start on 5th April 2014 and the winners will represent India in the Swamp Soccer World Cup to be held in Scotland in June 2014

Mumbai, February 8: India’s boundless passion for cricket is well documented, but the appetite for adventurous sports is growing leaps and bounds in the country. Swamp Soccer is the new entrant to make its beeline in India and with this, a new era for sports and sports tourism will be kick-off in the country.

Convergence Events Pvt Ltd – India’s leading event management company – has signed exclusive rights with the Scotland-based company, Swamp Soccer UK Ltd, to bring the unique yet adventurous game to India. “Swamp Soccer is a very interesting game and ever since I came across this sport, I decided to get this exciting event property to India. I see a very strong potential in this format of the game since there is tremendous demand for fun filled, adventurous and adrenaline events,” said Mr Kamlesh Sharma, Managing Director, Convergence Events Pvt Ltd.

Swamp Soccer originated in Finland in the late 90s and is owned by Mr Stewart Miller, a Scottish national. “We are very excited to be working closely with Convergence Events, to help them launch Swamp Soccer India in 2014. In the developed world and in emerging economies there is a growing appetite amongst the younger population to try something completely different. Swamp Soccer is unique, fun, extreme and inclusive,” says Mr Stewart Miller, Founder & Director, Swamp Soccer World Cup and Swamp Soccer UK Ltd.

According to Mr Sharma, the concept of sports tourism is evolving since the inception of Indian Premier League in 2008, Indian Grand Prix in 2011, ICC World Cup in 2011, Hockey India League in 2013 and now India will be hosting FIFA U-21 World Cup in 2017. “Sports tourism in India has scored a high place for its self in India’s tourism industry and Swamp Soccer India, which commences from April 2014, will be proved to be a milestone in the Indian sports scenario and it will certainly make its space in this niche segment by broadly defining as one of the most adventure games. It offers scope for sports lover and enthusiasts from all across the globe,” he added.

Sports tourism is a well-organised sector and it is considered as a vital cash-cow in several countries nations around the world such as United Nations, Germany, Singapore, South Africa, Malaysia and many more. “Several National Tourist Offices are aggressively working towards promoting their destinations for Sport tourism in India to tap the corporate, as well as fast growing upper middle class and the youth,” informs Sanjay Parekh, Partner, Swamp Soccer India.

As the name suggests, Swamp Soccer, is a game played on a wet marshy swamp pitch and this new avatar of adventurous and adrenaline sports similar to football with a few variations to add fun to the game. “The format of the game, Swamp Soccer India, is the shorter, fun and faster version of football. We have developed sports based Intellectual Property that will provide a unique experience to the participants,” Mr Sharma pointed out.

The maiden Swamp Soccer India tournament will be held in four metro cities – New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. The tournament will be kicked-off on 5th April, 2014 in New Delhi and will end with the championship match on 27th April, 2014 in Mumbai. “We will be limiting the tournament only in the four metro cities initially and we will extend it to 10-12 cities in the subsequent years,” Mr Parekh said.

As many as 128 teams – 32 from each city – will be a part of the first-ever tournament and of which, 16 teams will qualify for the league matches. There will be quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. “The major highlight of the tournament is that the winners of Swamp Soccer India will represent India for the Swamp Soccer World Cup Tournament 2014, which will be held in June 2014 at Blairmore Farms in Scotland,” informed Mr Sharma.

Swamp Soccer India will get bigger each and every year, and its presence in India will be a testament to its momentum. Regardless of whether one likes the new sport or not, one thing is certain, it’s quite entertaining to watch grown men playing in the mud. The players require real guts, coordination, determination and a very good washing powder.

About Convergence Events Pvt Ltd

Convergence Events Pvt Ltd, India’s premier Events and Promotions Company based in Mumbai, was established in 2006. The company is headed by Mr Kamlesh Sharma, who is the Founder and Managing Director. It has showcased and organised more than 5,000 of events and promotion campaigns in over 35 towns and cities across India and overseas.

Convergence Events Pvt Ltd has recently joined hands with Swamp Soccer UK Ltd to launch the game in India. It will be held in four cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, and it aims to have 50 teams from each cities. The major highlight of the tournament is that the winners of Swamp Soccer India will qualify to represent India for the Swamp Soccer World Cup Tournament 2014, which will be held in June 2014 at Blairmore Farms in Scotland.