After NBA, NFL goes to the Orient

SCRUMMING IN THE ORIENT: The NBA's popularity in China has drawn the NFL towards the nation.

Featured Blog

Rajdeep Sardesai

Television, for politicians with a vision

Featured Slideshows

Related Headlines

powered by

• India's NFL is all set for kick-off
• NFL: Mohammedan snatch last-gasp win
• Delhi boy Chhetri won't quit JCT

Keywords: China, Nfl

New Delhi: Asia is just catching on to the American football fever, and the NFL has capitalised on it by sending a delegation to Beijing to promote their form of football.

American football is on its way from Boston to Beijing as the Superbowl targets the massive Asian sports market. In a move that could pave the way for an entirely different genre in Asian sport, the NFL touched down in China to promote America's biggest and grandest sport.

Benjamin Watson of the New England Patriots says, "There are already people you can see here playing football in China and they are really good. I was very surprised and excited to play such good players today and also yesterday. So as the popularity spreads of the sport more and more people will play it and eventually there may be a NFL type of league here in China."

But with China not being the ideal example of a free-market economy, then why is it on top of the NFL radar?

Michael Stokes, the Chief Representative of NFL, explains: "We feel strongly there is an inherent appeal in our sport because of the action-packed components, the strategy that is required. It's just not being the strongest, you have to call the right play in the huddle before the game begins to succeed. So there is a real mental or cerebral aspect to the game which we think the Chinese enjoy."

Having contributed quite a few big stars to the NBA, the Chinese will surely love to give their Yankee compatriots a great game too.