Bhubaneswar: As football World Cup fever spreads across the world, a 46-year-old city-based football enthusiast has found a unique way to keep the sport’s legacy alive and inspire the younger generation.Samarajan Mohanty, a resident of VSS Nagar, has curated an extensive collection of football-related items at his home. Aptly named Mo Sangrahalaya, or My Museum, the collector’s home is now emerging as a must-visit for football lovers.A private employee, Mohanty has been nurturing his passion for collecting rare and historical items since his student days. What began as a hobby in 2010 has now evolved into a mini-museum showcasing treasures linked to past football World Cups.His collection is diverse. It includes over 500 postal stamps from more than 50 countries, special covers, framed match tickets, badges, coins, currency notes, matchboxes, paper cups, chips wrappers, biographies and newspaper clippings related to football.Many of the items, which most people would discard after use, have been carefully preserved and displayed. The collection boasts postal stamps of legendary footballers like Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.“People usually throw away match tickets after attending games. For me, each ticket tells a story. I preserved them so future generations can connect with football history,” Mohanty said.A major highlight of the collection is the range of football-themed postal stamps and envelopes issued across different countries. Mohanty has sourced several items through friends, relatives and collectors from across India and abroad.With growing interest during World Cup seasons, his home museum has seen a steady flow of visitors, especially school students. Mohanty has also taken his collection beyond home, setting up displays outside stadiums during local matches.“I started this initiative to encourage children to take an interest in collecting and preserving historical items. It helps them learn beyond textbooks and develop curiosity,” he added.Visitors, particularly youngsters, say the collection offers a refreshing and engaging way to understand the sport’s history. “It is amazing to see so many old items related to football in one place,” said Ankit Sharma, a student.