The World Cup 2010

 

First off, I would have to say "Yaaah" to the sceptics - the competition has been a magnificent event, and with the exception of one incident in Durban, it has been exceptional.  The organisation, dedication and efforts of the LOC, and all of the workers who have worked tirelessly to put it together deserve much credit, probably more than they get, and I guess that that is 'normal' too.  Their efforts will stand in testimony to them long after the World Cup dust has settled and life has returned to normal - improved roads and transport systems, improved data and telecommunications systems, improved airports and of course a  bunch of magnificent stadiums that will continue to serve us!! 

 

All South Africans can afford to be proud of this event - and others of a similar nature - World Cup Rugby, World Cup Cricket, etc.  We seem to do these things rather well.

 

What of the games?  In my opinion the games, whilst not all fast-paced, have been great - the teams have played well, cheating has been the exception rather than the rule, and the ref'ing has been of the highest standard barring two obvious errors which were very unfortunate, but also, in my opinion, not game changing.

 

Only one incident really sticks in my mind as having altered the outcome of a game and that was Suarez's deliberate handball in the Ghana-Uruguay quarter-final clash.  Why a man would want to blot his copy book in that way is a mystery, and to my mind really does damage the reputation of the team badly - unfortunate because they have some great players!!

 

So, the final is upon us and my sense is one of nostalgia, tinted perhaps with a small sense of melancholy!!  Sad yet happy - isn't that what it's all about.  This has been this magnificent event which has created a common bond of interest throughout South Africa and the world.  

 

Even people who are typically not interested in soccer have been drawn in to the thrill and excitement of the event!!  My parents (my father is a soccer man - secretly) have been drawn to the occasion and have spent many happy hours together watching the matches on TV.  My mother, not a exactly a soccer fan - even secretly, said that she will miss the games - the sense of oneness that they have brought to her family (Dad, Mom, and sister).

 

And therein lies the truth of the World Cup - it has been a magnificent, unifying event that I believe is unsurpassed by any other sport - the world has paused, the world has cheered, has cried and most definitely, it has celebrated!

 

It is my fervent hope that we will remember these moments, and not head back to every day bedlam again.  If we do not learn from the events that we encounter and experience then we are no better than stones - I really hope that we are able to demonstrate that we are so much more than stones as we go forward - let us not disappoint ourselves or the world around us - let us continue to live up to the standard that we have set through this event - and let the games play on in our memories and on into history!!

 

Oh, and in closing - I really look forward to a truly exciting finish tonight as the Dutch and the Spanish face off for the final this evening!!  Wherever you are, whatever your feelings on the sport, find yourself in a place where you can watch - it is truly going to be a 'Clash of the Titans'!!