There is a lot of information coming to light about the interaction of REAL football and international relations. By real football, I mean soccer, as us Americans call it. Only in America can we turn the ole' pigskin game that is played with the hands into "football," which doesn't actually use the feet at all. (Yes, I know they kick field goals and punt, but the kicker is also the least respected guy on the team. They slap his helmet, but secretly think he is a wuss for not suiting up on the line...)
But here I am talking about real football. The one actually played with feet, involving dribbling, crossing over, crossing the ball, fake shots and step overs... Players who can literally dance with the ball over 100 yrds down the field. Not 300 lb linemen bashing each other's skulls in, or running backs cutting the knees out from under a charging linebacker. Not even basketball, which does involve more skill than American "football." No, I am talking about the jurga bonito, the beautiful game, played by BILLIONS around the world. The game that causes billions of people to stop whatever they are doing and watch their favorite, famous (or infamous) players take the field and battle for 90 full minutes at a full sprint. That, folks, is the beautiful game!
But I digress... Football and politics...
There are a number of great books coming out discussing our topic: Soccernomics, How Soccer Changed the World, etc. They argue that soccer has a greater impact on the world than we Americans would believe.
For instance:
How many of you know about the difficulties being encountered by FIFA over the Ireland/France World Cup Qualifying game a week ago? Thiery Henry, (Tea-airy On-Ree, for those you you who might need a more phoenetic spelling), played the ball with his hands on the goal line, played the ball back across the face of the goal, allowing another French player to score and keep the Irish squad from qualifying for the World Cup. Henry has apologized and admitted to handling the ball, but the referee's discretion wins the day. (Now even the refs have admitted it was handling, but you cannot overturn a game decision. It is a part of the Laws of the Game...)
OR...
How many of you know about the basketball refereee who was accused of fixing NBA games? Well, FIFA is currently arresting DOZENS of referees around the world for the exact same offense. (Much of this has taken place in Europe, although it is a problem around the world...) FIFA is distressed by the scandal and level of cheating taking place, and wants to make a change.
OR...
How many of you know that the Arab/Israeli conflict extends to football? Even in places that aren't Israel or Arab states. For instance... Amr Zaki is a top striker who plays for Wigan. He has been courted by the larger club Portsmouth for a few years. Portsmouth is owned by another Arab, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, who would love to have Zaki on his team. Zaki, an Egyptian national, refuses to consider signing, stating that he refuses to play on a team that has any Israelis in their employ. These two Israelis, defender Tal Ben Haim and Avram Grant, the director of football operations. Zaki refuses to consider having ANYTHING to do with a Jew. "I refused their offen before, but now joining Portsmouth is no longer an option for me... After Portsmouth signed an Israeli player and hired an Israeli football director a possible move was ruled out." Racism at its finest, ladies and gentlemen. And Egypt was the first Arab nation to diplomatically recognize Israel!
Zaki has also refused to sign because there is also an Algerian player on the squad, and Egypt and Algeria recently came to blows on the soccer pitch. (Algeria recently defeated Egypt, the "African soccer champion," in a tie-breaker played in Sudan last Wednesday. Riots have taken place in Cairo which involve the burning of the Algerian flag and the beating of Algerian citizens. Granted, lots of problems have taken place recently between the two countries. Rioters attacked Algerians with rocks in Cairo, injuring four. Algerians burned Egyptian businesses to the ground in Algeria in retaliation...) Currently, the Egyptian government is discussing cutting ALL diplomatic ties with Algeria.
This makes Oakland Raiders fans look pretty tame in comparison!
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Gift of Hope
The Gainesville State Tornados ripped through a huge banner with their team name on it as the charged onto the football field. The Gainesville athletes ran through a tunnel of 300 cheering fans as they heard people cheering their names, calling our their numbers, cheering them on as they played against Grapevine Faith Christian School. They played their hearts out, it turned out to be the best game of their season: they lost 33-14. But the most amazing part of the story? These athletes are from the Juvenile Corrections Center, and their “fans” were parents of the Grapevine team.
Grapevine coach Kris Hogan wanted to do something special for these players. Hogan saw a team that the world had given up on, a team that had no hope. They were in the system for assault, drugs, robbery, and the world had simply written them off. Hogan took matters into his own hands: he asked half of their fans to cheer for the opposing team and go out of their way to help the Gainesville players have hope. The Grapevine players (and their parents) were confused; “Why would we cheer for the other team?” But Hogan responded, “Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you." Imagine what a difference it could make! And the fans responded: they painted posters, memorized rosters, recruited cheerleaders. The Tornados responded by playing better than they had all year, doubling their touchdown total. As they walked off the field, heads held high while under guard, they were handed sacks of burgers, fries, and a Bible with an encouraging letter inside. The Gainesville players returned to their life in prison.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us." Hogan told reporters he was glad their heads were bowed so no one could see his tears.
Isn’t the power of hope amazing? Isn’t it amazing to see how lives can change when someone starts believing in you? When one person gives you hope and a chance to succeed? This is the power of the Gospel! As Jesus talks about his true followers, he tells them that when we visit those in prison (or do other good deeds), we did them for him. When we serve the “least of these,” we are serving Jesus.
As Christians we are called to show the world that there is hope. We are called to make a difference by touching the lives of those that the world has written off. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bless the less fortunate, to cheer on the brokenhearted, to encourage the downtrodden… We are called to be messengers of hope to the world. Let’s get out there and cheer them on in the name of Jesus; I’m sure people will respond.
(Excerpts taken from Rick Reilly, ESPN)
Grapevine coach Kris Hogan wanted to do something special for these players. Hogan saw a team that the world had given up on, a team that had no hope. They were in the system for assault, drugs, robbery, and the world had simply written them off. Hogan took matters into his own hands: he asked half of their fans to cheer for the opposing team and go out of their way to help the Gainesville players have hope. The Grapevine players (and their parents) were confused; “Why would we cheer for the other team?” But Hogan responded, “Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you." Imagine what a difference it could make! And the fans responded: they painted posters, memorized rosters, recruited cheerleaders. The Tornados responded by playing better than they had all year, doubling their touchdown total. As they walked off the field, heads held high while under guard, they were handed sacks of burgers, fries, and a Bible with an encouraging letter inside. The Gainesville players returned to their life in prison.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us." Hogan told reporters he was glad their heads were bowed so no one could see his tears.
Isn’t the power of hope amazing? Isn’t it amazing to see how lives can change when someone starts believing in you? When one person gives you hope and a chance to succeed? This is the power of the Gospel! As Jesus talks about his true followers, he tells them that when we visit those in prison (or do other good deeds), we did them for him. When we serve the “least of these,” we are serving Jesus.
As Christians we are called to show the world that there is hope. We are called to make a difference by touching the lives of those that the world has written off. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bless the less fortunate, to cheer on the brokenhearted, to encourage the downtrodden… We are called to be messengers of hope to the world. Let’s get out there and cheer them on in the name of Jesus; I’m sure people will respond.
(Excerpts taken from Rick Reilly, ESPN)
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