The state government in West Bengal will be installing TV sets in jails so that prisoners can watch World Cup matches, officials said on Saturday.
"World Cup fever has caught on with both male and female prisoners. They are excited over the biggest soccer event and talking about the star players — (Brazilian) Ronald, (Frenchman) Zinedine Zidane and (Argentinian) Gabriel Batistuta," said H R Hussain, superintendent of a Kolkata jail.
"Some are even trying to ape the soccer stars in the playgrounds of the jails," he added.
Hussain said that prisoners had pleaded with authorities to install colour television sets, which will be put in the common rooms of the 53 jails in the state.
"It's a welcome change in the tedious life of the prisoners and we will not be surprised if all inmates remain glued to the screens throughout the night to watch their stars work wonders with the ball," Hussain said.
"Not only prisoners, but inmates of juvenile (correctional) homes are also agog with the ensuing World Cup and government officials are visiting the juveniles to install TV sets to inspire the inmates."
West Bengal Juvenile Board chairman Hiranmoy Saha said they would be showing the semi-finals and final on big television screens.
"We will encourage all youths in the homes to watch the games as it is an opportunity to divert their attention towards a positive outlook in life and bring them to back into mainstream society," he said.

Saha said that the state government had appealed to some non-governmental organisations to help with the cost of the television sets for the 200 or so juvenile homes in West Bengal.
"It will be a great help to the inmates of jails and juvenile homes if the government installs television sets to watch one of the greatest event on the earth", Saha said. Bureau Report