With the FIFA World Cup only a month away, I began to wonder what the hosting of the tournament in South Africa would do for that country. Football is something very interesting because it has the power to bring nations together, remove stereotypes, try and end racism, promote peace and understanding between nations and allow people to have a fun and enjoyable experience all at the same time. So in this context, one has to wonder what football can do for South Africa.
Following years of devastating apartheid and racial prejudice and profound racism, the country of South Africa has changed and grown. It would have been unimaginable twenty years ago to even think about hosting the World Cup and because of apartheid many people didn’t think the situation would ever change. People were wondering when it would change, when would the continent of Africa get to host a World Cup. Now that has all changed, with the end of apartheid and the racial revolution of the country, South Africa is about to host one of the biggest sporting events of the year. This must be having a profound effect on the people of this African nation.
A blog out of South Africa talks about the effect that it is having on South Africans. “The World Cup is coming to Africa - I can't believe it. It just makes me believe that anything is possible” were the words of a female DJ as I listened to the radio in Lesotho just 10 days ago. An attitude, which encapsulates the wonder many, are feeling across Africa - still incredulous that the planet's biggest sports event is coming here, to the only continent never to have hosted the Olympics nor the World Cup. Until now that is.
For those living in South Africa itself, the incredulity goes even deeper. Twenty years ago, hosting the World Cup was an impossible dream. Still under the grip of apartheid, South Africa was a pariah state, banned from football by Fifa, and the prospect of playing any match, let alone hosting the world, was a mere flight of fancy,”
To be the first African nation to host the World Cup must be one of the most uplifting feelings for Africans, but the tournament has the power to change lives and inspire the next generation of footballers into action. The tournament will bring jobs, uplift the economy and pull people out of poverty. It may be a stretch but it might also lead to more investment coming into the nation from foreign investors. Being able to host a tournament of this scale inspires confidence amongst people and raises the image of the country.
For a place like South Africa where racial prejudice ruled for so many years, and is probably still lurking under the surface, it will show people that the country has changed and is now more than a place where racial divisions cut the people in half.
The next generation of footballers who are now very young but will probably come to watch some matches might get inspired to take up football full time and then will be able to lead their country’s football team and represent South Africa on a world stage. This feeling of inspiration will be remembered by these children for many years to come and will help them fulfil their dreams. Football fever will spread through out the young and training institutions, and camps will be set up to train the next generation of footballers and investment in the sport will flow into the country to make it easier for these young sportspeople to achieve their dreams.
South Africa has come a long way and the ability to host and pull off a tournament of this size will be the ultimate test for them and for the African continent as a whole. If South Africa can do a good job then that will hopefully open up the stage for many other African countries to step up to the plate and ask for their shot to host the World Cup and lift their fortunes as well.
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