And for a Friday into the final stages of the greatest Sports spectacle of the Universe, Football World Cup 2018….. some thoughts…..
Indian Football Team
Quarter finals starts today. Who wins the Cup….. Brazil… France… England… Belgium… Uruguay… but sadly my favourite Team Germany knocked out…. notwithstanding, the Champions will take home a Whooping 265 Crores as winning from FIFA, the second team – 195 crores, third – 165 and 4th – 152, in addition to what all their Sponsors and others give…… ooofff…… it’s huge. IPL cricket is nowhere near.
Imagine the pressures and psychological preparations needed for each player, mentally to be as tough as much of their physical stamina. Just think of the Mental condition of Nigerian player John Obi Mikel. While boarding the Coach to Russian stadium for match against Argentina, his father is abducted back home. Ransom is demanded from him. Does he inform his Coach? Should he play? Should he contact his Embassy? This tough young man went thru the Game for the sake of his Country so as not to demoralise his team and not to upset the Coaches preparation for the match. Tremendous Will Power. That’s what makes sporting Icons. His Father was freed next day in Nigeria.
This World Cup is also about showcasing political systems. Russian President Putin is definitely making a statement. Moscow is all spruced up. Tourists are all welcome. no Communists baggages, Bars, Restaurents Entertainment, Night Life, the Works. Security is top class, efficiently implicit and totally in control. Not a single untoward incident. Cultures of Every country playing the Game is seen. But nothing to beat the Civic sense, Societal Consideations and discipline of the Japenese. They cleaned up their part of the stadium spotless after every Match. Swach Japan Mission in Action.
Iceland qualified into the Group stage. Country population 3,37,780 people. Just Grant Road – a small ward of Mumbai city – population 3,82, 841. India is still way away. But don’t loose heart, we will catch up. ISL is our Super league. World class players and coaches are now involved. I am confident that in the 2026 World Cup hosted in Mexico, US and Canada, India will be in the big stage.
Let us all work together to build India and get it on the World stage, the Sporting way, the Ethical way, the SEEGOS way.