Indeed, passion for the EPL from football fans is pretty amazing, at times obsessive. It can manifest in such forms as congested stadiums or effervescent surroundings of slogans and songs supporting the teams. This passion also extends beyond the days of a match because their people take active part in the high rivalry games and also argue keenly on issues related to transfer of players.
What really goes to incredible displays of commitment is the effort made by Ochirvaani “Ochiroo” Batbold of Mongolia, an avid Manchester United fan, cycling from Mongolia all the way to the UK in order to attend a game in his favorite club’s Old Trafford stadium. Posting on X.com, he mentioned, “I cycled all the way from Mongolia to Manchester to watch my first match at Old Trafford—proof of how much I love Manchester United! Today, I fulfilled a childhood promise to my mom by taking her to see a game. No matter how tough things get, my love for this team is unshakable.”
I cycled all the way from Mongolia to Manchester to watch my first match at Old Trafford—proof of how much I love Manchester United! Today, I fulfilled a childhood promise to my mom by taking her to see a game.
No matter how tough things get, my love for this team is unshakable pic.twitter.com/CCN13utAsA
— Mr.Wazza (@WazzaOchiroo) December 30, 2024
Batbold started his journey in May 2023, cycling 14,000 kilometers from Mongolia to Manchester. He has been a Manchester United fan since 2010, and his first memory is a match against Liverpool in September 2010, which was marked by Dimitar Berbatov’s hat-trick in a 3-2 victory.
In a touching letter to the club, Batbold said that Wayne Rooney was always his hero. “I loved his tireless work ethic, versatility, and ability to step up in important moments. He was always an inspiration.” Batbold’s early dream of becoming a professional footballer was shattered when he was duped by a person who was posing as a football agent. This financial loss was described as a nightmare for him.
Batbold’s story is but one of hundreds of thousands in the EPL. The very passion of global fans fuels it, driving the sale of its merchandise, sponsorships from other countries, and massive revenue-generating streams. Some may believe this level of devotion is excessive; however, without a doubt, it is part of the EPL’s power as one of the world’s most popular sports leagues.
