The real world cup18th June, 2010 11:10 AM |
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The eyes of the world are fixed on South Africa as teams from around the globe compete in the first-ever football World Cup on African soil. The only British team in the tournament is England. It is getting harder and harder for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to qualify for the World cup.
I am confused and under 'pressure' in declaring my allegiance. Having lived in the east-end of Glasgow for over 30 years, yes I do love football but am I going to support England? Am I expected to support England? A lot of my Scottish friends will not be supporting the England football team. In fact, some of them have already purchased 'Any team but England' t-shirts. Mrs Lineker is urging Scots to support England in the World Cup and get behind England. My ‘Britishness’ is telling me to fly the union flag in my garden.
On the dusty pitches throughout South Africa, children are practicing their penalties and bending it like Beckham. Maybe I should support one of the African teams. My conscience keeps reminding me that I should not forget AFRICA, a continent I have visited many times. I can never forget the haunting 6 year and 10 year old boys (in west Darfur) with their very dry and thirsty lips. Staring at me but lost in thier own thoughts. Standing bare foot on the burning sand in the unforgiving 43 degree heat of the sun, 6 year old wearing a Manchester United T-shirt on his feeble shoulders, having no idea what the shirt means. They stood there thinking that...well actually how can I know what they was thinking???. I cannot even imagine what they must have been thinking. I have never stepped into their world, never experienced the difficulties they must be facing on a daily basis. No clean water, 1 meagre meal a day, only shelter being beneath the clear blue sky, and memories of a father snatched away by the evil demons of malnutrition. I wonder whether they know the World's attention is on their continent. (Well at least for next 30 days). On a continent where the poverty situation has almost assumed a lifestyle status, I hope that the soccer balls that will be kicked around in Johannesburg’s Soccer City and other stadiums during the World Cup in South Africa will bring some hope to the sufferers of this sad reality.
