We talk about spirit of
football. To us, it’s
all about the huge effect it has on all lovers of football; effect that can be
more powerful than overdose of alcohol; effect that can make fans go hungry
when their team or club loses and also make fans eat and drink uncontrollably
to celebrate team’s or club’s victory; effect that can make fans skip religious
activities and even neglect their businesses, we can go on and on.
Russia World Cup 2018 has come and gone, but the memories still live. Foot ball or soccer
comes with thrills, excitement and jubilation, or with loss and pain
to some fans, as the matches take place. Football or soccer comes with predictions
and betting that could improve fan’s standard of living or take fans to another
level of poverty. Some people have died because of their crazy love for football,
some even committed suicide, probably because they lost in the betting, or
whatever, while some have destroyed properties or even killed someone
unintentionally, and in anger because their club or team lost to the other
during matches. These situations have become the nature of football, the spirit
of soccer that we know of.
Nevertheless, during matches,
and in the spirit of football - the excitement and jubilation of the moment, fans are completely ignorant of the golden
efforts and lifestyle that lead to the award of the golden cup to the winner.
When it comes to football or soccer, I am more thrilled and excited about the
efforts, and particularly the lifestyle of the teams. You may have taken notes
of some football lessons applicable to you, but join me to share in the lessons
I learnt during the 2018 Russia World cup, which are also applicable in all football
matches.
1. Each team worked together, they
carried each other along and used body language to achieve their goal or goals.
2. Each team has one goal, which
is to score goals. They achieve this by application of their diverse skills.
3. One person’s mistake was tolerated
by all, and one person’s goal was celebrated by all. There is no blame game.
4. No team ever lost hope, even
when the match is not in their favour. The match between Belgium and Japan during
Russian 2018 World Cup is a good example. Belgium missed a lot of chances and
was hit by 2 goals, but they never lost hope, they pressed on, and scored two
goals to equalize with Japan, and later scored extra goal to win the match.
5. In the dictionary of football,
there is no ‘discrimination’. France won in Russia 2018 football and
surprisingly, most of their players are Africans.
6. They play by the rules;
sticking to the dos and avoiding the don’ts.
7. Fans spend to celebrate the
victory of their club or team, even when they have no share in what the team
will get for their effort.
8. There is transparency in
football. Both players and spectators see everything that take place in the
field; they all know why judgments are passed, who deserve punishment and who
does not. There is no hide and seek game.
9. Losers accept defeat; they
don’t fight the referee or the winners, they join to celebrate the winners,
they don’t find faults.
10. Fans take their children to
watch live football. By so doing, they transfer passion; they pass on their
values as parents, for their children to carry on with.
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| Future World Cup Stars |
11. In the course of football match, footballers focus their attention on the ball. They don't give in to distraction, they don't look away from the ball while on duty. They stay focused.
12. The presidents of France and Croatia were there live to congratulate the finalists. They made sure they played their own role to end the the world cup; not minding the rain that has drenched them.
If our families, offices and
society can be like a football field, with players like you and me going by
the dos and avoiding the don’ts, and in the ideal spirit of Football, the world
will be a better place.
Written by Olive Chinyere
Amajuoyi
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