See gods of game in Firoz's canvas as World Cup kicks off in Qatar

KOZHIKODE: 100 pictures of the kings of football, that too five feet tall and four feet wide!. Firoz Assan, a native of Vadakara, will have one of his dreams realized as the game gods are being painted in acrylic colors. As the ball rolls in Qatar, this Malayalee painter will be there to add colour to that historic moment. Firoz Assan's paintings will be on display near the main stadium and in galleries across Qatar until the end of the football world cup. Fifty of the finished paintings have already been shipped to Qatar on a special invitation from the organizing committee. The rest will cross the sea within a week.

Firoz Assan has been in the world of sports for 25 years. He has given his pictures to Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo in person. He has also given his works to cricket legends such as Sachin, Dhoni and film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Firoz's pictures in various stadiums across the country have been a hit with fans. He has done 500 paintings of cricketers alone. A film exhibition in Qatar has been a cherished dream ever since the World Cup hype began. Dr. Khalid Khwari, one of the organizers of the World Cup, gave him the opportunity. Financial assistance was also provided for the canvas. Including canvas, paint, frame and traveling, it will cost about ten lakhs. Many people were approached as sponsors but to no avail. Finally, he is completing a big dream in life by taking a loan and seeking help from his friends. When he came to Kozhikode at the age of 12 to learn painting, he had to go back because he had no money to pay the fees.