The Leicester City victory in Barclays Premier League has made history. They have achieved one of the greatest sporting feats of all time after winning the Premier League title.
The Foxes were 5000 to 1 outsiders for the title at the start of the season but defied the odds to win the prestigious trophy. City have never before won a top flight title in their 132-year history. This will bring many European major teams to play at Leicester's home ground next year, triggering a £150mn boost to its business- affecting most of the city's major areas, such as Golden Mile, famous for its Indian stores.
Harish Patel, a resident of Leicester told Asian Voice, “I have grown up in Leicester, and so have my children and family. The victory of our club, that we have supported so long, has left us emotional. We still can't believe we have won. We are planning a victory party, as the club lifts the cup at our locality. May be we could turn it into a street party.”
V Thakkar, a shop owner in Leicester said, “This victory will put our city on the world map. Next year from hotel industry to food to all other areas- everybody is going to benefit from this championship. Our business will boost, our players will be more famous, our city will earn more prestige and grandeur.”
Prami Singh, a regular at the team’s King Power Stadium reportedly said, “It puts Leicester City on the map."
His friend Asif Sheikh added, "Manchester United, Chelsea fans are from different cities, but the fans here are all born and bred here."
UK's oldest Asian MP, Rt Hon Keith Vaz, was outside the King Power Stadium last night. MP for Leicester East, Mr Vaz told Asian Voice, “Who does not believe in miracles now. This is the greatest day in the history of Leicester.
“The whole world will hail this victory and the achievements of a brave and courageous team who have overcome the most famous football teams in the world to take us to the pinnacle of world club soccer. An amazing Manager, an incredible team and a generous and visionary owner. The owners of King Power have made us the Kings of Football."
In early March, Leicester City player Riyad Mahrez had won an award at the Asian Voice Political and Public Life Awards, hosted in the Parliament. He was accompanied to the awards by his colleagues including N'Golo Kante.
As Tottenham drew with Chelsea (2-2) at London's Stamford Bridge, Leicester fans started celebrations that went on until wee hours with cries of 'champions' heard across the city as well the deafening sound of a cacophony of car horns.
The football club were taken over by Thai owners in 2010, and the stadium has been renamed after King Power, owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's travel retail firm. The 596,000 people who like the club's official Thai page on Facebook were in celebratory mood too when the result came in. One user, Anantawat Jhansubin, replied: "Don't forget to bring the trophy to Thailand!"
Many other Thai people writing on the Facebook page gave credit to Buddhist monk Phra Prommangkalachan, who is revered by the club's owners. He gave blessings to the team at the start of the season, and has created banners to pray for the club's success.
In India, the Times of India's Hijam Raju Singh wrote: "The wait for the 'fairytale ending' of the 'beautiful story' is over. The biggest underdog story in recent times has met the ending everyone was hoping for."
