Oman- Euro 2016 matches a big draw for cafes

6/22/2016 3:55:10 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

The Euro 2016 football tournament has proven to be a big draw for coffee shop and cafe owners as giant screens have come up to lure customers.

Amor al Harthy, an avid football fan, said, ''I had a place reserved at a cafe in North Ghubra just in case I couldn''t make it in time.

''I try to watch at least one match every night. I don''t want to make a prediction but I wouldn''t be surprised if France or Spain won the cup this year.''

He added, ''The cafe lost its subscription last night [Sunday]. There are no other places showing matches near my apartment, so it looks like I''ll have to drive to bigger cafes with mega-screens to watch the rest of Euro 2016. It''s a shame as I appreciated the simple set up in my neighbourhood. I heard some of the bigger cafes serve expensive food and drinks.''

A football fan who wished to remain anonymous said, ''The Euro 2016 matches give us a chance to unwind and catch up with friends at the end of the day. The downside is that the matches encroach on family time. As a non-smoker I find sheesha quite annoying, and I tend to spend too much on snacks and drinks. As a regular at a coffee shop in Al Khuwayr, I have a line of credit with them which I settle every month. Every time there is a sporting event, there is a spike in my bill.''

Hussain Abu Thina, another fan, said the time gap between two matches allows him to discuss the result with his friends. ''It''s good fun.
''We discuss the previous match and predict the outcome of the next one. It''s perfect as watching the games with other football fans adds to the fun.''

A food and beverage executive who wished to remain anonymous said, ''Our cafe doesn''t have a licence to serve sheesha which is a big draw during Ramadan but the timing for Euro 2016 is perfect. On most years, Ramadan doesn''t bring much business, but this year is different. With a relatively small investment consisting of a projector and a satellite television subscription, we''re able to draw customers. We serve our regulars as well as motorists who stop to see the football action.''

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