by Abdullahi Nur
Sunday, June 13, 2010
On Friday June 11th is a big day for Africa. In generally and specifically South Africa will be hosting continent’s first Federation International Football Association (FIFA) first soccer World Cup. This is a big deal for Africa because since the establishment of the league in 1928, this is the first time it has been held in Africa. The opening game will be watch by over one billion people around the world. The world cup championship is generally held every four years since it is started in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 for the lack of stability caused by the World War II.
As these games are held, I reflected on a famous quote by Alfred Adler “one question can change the course of the discussion and a life”. I asked myself, what is the advantage of South Africa is hosting the soccer world cup, and what Africa and the International Soccer Community can learn each other.
Many parts of Africa are places where diseases, conflicts, wars, hunger and starving are prevalence. The continent is plagued by famine and bad governance coupled with corruption at all level of government. These conditions have marginalized many people and have made them to live below the poverty line. Although it may be different from regions to region in Africa, but there are similarities. There are other parts of Africa, example South Africa that is trying their best in good governance, reduce corruption but still there are millions of citizens that live in poverty, and a result South Africa has one of the highest crime rate in the world.
Therefore, if South Africa can successfully host these games, this will be seen by the rest of the world that at least one good thing is coming out of Africa. The security challenge of hosting these games is just enormous and overwhelming. So the whole World is watching right now to see whether Africa can pull through. If these games are held successfully, the whole World will be fascinated as to how South Africa did it and will be able to learn from them.
The advantage of a successful tournament will also motivate other organizations or world bodies to have their annual meetings in Africa. This will also create an idea in the international community that the environmental climate is conducive, and this could lead to increase tourism and the creation of new investment and business opportunities and ventures by foreign investors. The success of these games could also diminish some of the negative image the continent as a whole.
On the other hand, if these turn out unsuccessful, Africa will continue to seen as the Dark Continent that is corruption from top to bottom, and its people will remain plagued by bad governance, diseases, poverty and hunger. All due to the fact that its own people are irresponsible and bad leaders. As the FIFA games starts June 11th the whole world will be watching the outcome of the games.
Abdullahi Nur (Freelance)
Minneapolis, Minesota,
USA