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July 25, 2007

I don't know how much of the AID community follows world football (soccer), but to me, there are so many reasons why it's the most popular sport on the globe.  For one, the rich history, culture, and rivalries are all so interesting.  It doesn't matter if you're the Champions of the World if you can't beat your rivals in the local derby (e.g. Glasgow - Celtic and Rangers; London - Arsenal and Chelsea; Spain - Real Madrid and Barcelona; Argentina - Boca Juniors and River Plate).  The stakes are so high for perfection and victory is everything.  The club you support is probably the club your family supported, all the way back to the dawn of when the club first started.

And that's just the club level.  The country team level also represents a big chunk of nationalism and pride.  Many times in international football history, the people of a nation in conflict and/or turmoil will put differences aside and join together to support their team.  For example, look at the 1994 World Cup.   The German team was unified after years separated as West and East Germany.  During the 2006 African Cup of Nations, Cote d'Ivoire, a West African nation in civil war, put their fighting aside to cheer on their side all the way through their loss in the final to African football powerhouses Egypt.  In short, football has a therapeutic and uncanny ability to have people focus their energy away from domestic difficulties at home in order to cheer on their side abroad.

Today, similar events are happening at another international tournament.  Iraq, heavy underdogs in the AFC Asian Cup, maneuvered past Thailand, Oman, and tournament favorites Australia in the group stage.  After topping their group, they beat Vietnam in the quarters, and today, shocked former World Cup bronze medalists South Korea on penalties.  They're in the final.  The team roster of Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds, along with their colors, all represent Iraq - the country constantly in the news for sectarian division and spiraling violence.

Unfortunately for Iraq, the people celebrating this rare and historic victory had their united celebrations once again disrupted by insurgents.  Two suicide bombers killed at least 27 people in the middle of street parties.  This is yet another example of how disturbing the violence is in the country.

It's clear that when Iraq goes up against Saudi Arabia in the Cup Final in Jakarta, the players are playing for more than a trophy, money, and bragging rights.  They play to give their countrymen and countrywomen hope.  Here is an excerpt from BBC quoting an Iraqi about the upcoming final and its prospects for the nation:

"Celebrations marking the national team's football victory also took place in other major cities in Iraq.  'I am nearly crying for joy,' 30-year-old fan Nuri al-Najjar told Reuters in the southern city of Basra.  'Iraq's victory with this harmonious team represents the way we should all live together.'"

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely going to be supporting Iraq on Sunday against the Saudis.  What about you?

July 25, 2007 | Permalink

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