Youths cheer on India at malls

MANGALORE: "We want cricket!" a bubbly group of young students, who gathered at Empire Mall in the city shouted when the security guards switched off the TV sets, which was showing the live telecast of the India Sri Lanka World Cup Cricket match final on Saturday.
The security men on duty at the food court of the Mall had no other option, but to switch on the TV again, as the students were not ready to leave the hall.A noisy atmosphere of revelry prevailed at the food court as the match progressed. Students shouted and danced when a Sri Lanka batsman was snared and Indian players excelled on the field.
Business was very less compared to other days as students of various hostels have already occupied all the seats of the food court. "We have no regret, because it is the final match which all are eager to see. Let them enjoy," said Santhosh Shetty, manager of a stall at the mall.
Moti Mahal, a leading hotel in the city, had made all arrangements to entertain their customers. Big screens were arranged at the discotheque, bar lounge and the swimming pool lawns for the customers to watch the live moments the WC final.
Sales and marketing executive of the hotel, Aaron Karat said, customers will be charged only for the food they ordered and the cricket will be shown to them without charging extra money.
Goldfinch, another hotel, too, offered space to its customers to enjoy the cricket match while sipping on their favourite brand of drink. Customers were allowed watch cricket and have a pint after paying a nominal fee inside the bar lounge of the hotel.
Hotel Deepa Comforts in the city had arranged a big screen on its rooftop restaurant, where customers enjoyed the second innings of India chasing Sri Lanka.
Most of the roads in the city wore a deserted look once the match got underway. There were very few vehicles on MG Road, which is one of the major roads in the City, from 2.30 pm itself.