G
Guile
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May 26, 2010
Meet N.Korea's WC fan club
<!-- by line --> <!-- end by line --> BEIJING - NORTH KOREANS will be prevented from travelling to South Africa next month to cheer on their World Cup team because of the reclusive and paranoid ways of their country's leader Kim Jong Il. But a growing number of international soccer fans are pledging their support to one of the competition's underdogs, who take on powerhouses Brazil and Portugal, as well as Ivory Coast. 'The North Korea national team is not known for its travelling 'Barmy Army' of soccer fans, for obvious reasons,' says Simon Cockerell, a Beijing-based Briton who is spearheading the North Korea Football Supporters Association.
'We want to get as many people as possible to cheer on the Chollimas.' So far Mr Cockerell has mustered a 300-strong eclectic band of dedicated soccer fans from across the world to back Pyongyang's finest. He has also set up a Facebook page. When the squad left North Korea to prepare on May 9, they were sent off by their families, a military band and a select gathering of flag-waving officials, including Vice-Premier Kwak Bom Gi. Nicknamed after the mythical winged Korean horse that symbolises strength and speed, the Chollimas are making their first showing in the World Cup since their legendary giant-killing performance 44 years ago.
In 1966 in Britain, they beat powerhouse Italy 1-0 to gain a historic quarter-final berth, but even Mr Cockerell admits they face a tough task this time. 'Not that you ever admit it in North Korea, but the team doesn't really stand much chance of getting past the group stage. They play defensively and rarely score,' he said. 'They're going to need all the outside support they can muster if they are going to even earn a point in Group G.' Mr Cockerell helps run the Beijing-based North Korea tour group, Koryo Tours, with partner Nick Bonner, who helped make the award-winning documentary 'Games Of Their Lives", which features the nine survivors of the 1966 squad.
Their office is now adorned with colourful propaganda posters, North Korean football scarves - on sale for 80 yuan (S$16.50) - and other North Korean soccer memorabilia. 'Nick is presently in North Korea with a tour group and trying to source a shipment of national football shirts. We have lots of requests from fans wanting to buy one,' Mr Cockerell said. -- AFP