Last night’s announcement that Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively was a huge disappointment for many and many were left shocked.
English and Americans had already made up their minds that their bids were the strongest and had assured of humungous profits to be generated for the events. For other countries, the disappointment of being neglected was somewhat negligible or fairly mute
and inconspicuous.
But the reactions and emotions shown by the world on the decision were very curious and somewhat childish. Accusations were made of bribery and ‘petrodollars’. Its very natural for rumours to circulate when a bunch of people is left unhappy. But it was even
bizarre when words slipped out of South African tongues that just had a shot at being the first African nation to host the mega event.
“Russia I can understand. But Qatar? Give me a break,” a chief football writer from Johannesburg tweeted. He even questioned if it would be a sober WC.
These questions coming out from a South African are very shameful. Of all the nations in the world, it was this country that is questioning about another country’s ability and is trying to show that it’s an elite part of a club of nations who have hosted
the biggest event in the world.
6 years ago, when FIFA President Sepp Blatter, on May 15 2004, pulled out South African name from the golden envelope, the whole country and even the continent erupted with joy that was equal to the joy when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
But that joy was short-lived as waves of attacks and accusations began. The whole world pointed fingers; they questioned and doubted the decision. People doubted if the stadiums would be built in due time. There were issues regarding accommodation and transport
system. It was even feared that crime will rule the event and tourists would be robbed or even killed. Everyone accepted South Africa 2010 to be the biggest mistake FIFA ever made.
On top of that, a fair amount of hurdles obstructed the path. The construction workers strike delayed the work on the stadiums and ticket prices were raised. The national team had gone 40 places down in the FIFA rankings since the announcement and the coach
was under pressure with the media and press smelling blood. Though it was imperfect, South Africa 2010 was considered a success. But sadly, it hurts to know that many South Africans are critical of new decision.
South Africans along with the rest of the world, are questioning the heat during the tournament in Qatar. South Africa with its crime ratio and Qatar, with its heat during June and July are two major factors that can’t be separated. The Qatar bid team had
already assured that the temperatures inside the stadium would be kept below 27 degrees and solar power will be used for the first time in the tournament’s history.
People will never be convinced by these ideas until they see Qatar 2022 and inevitably, Qatar will have to defend itself for 12 years from doubts and accusations but will be hoping to prove the critics wrong when the occasion arrives.
Shaun Bartlett, former South African player also questioned the decision and argued that Qatar has no football culture. But it really makes no difference because Middle East is passionate about the game and will guarantee a great event as it has the resources
to do so.
South Africa had no chance of winning the event when they were the host and it will probably be the same for Qatar but on the other hand, the tournament will surely change their thinking about Middle East when Qatar host the event. It’s sad to know that
South Africa isn’t supportive of the decision when it had the same amount of problems that Qatar will have in the build up to the event. But hopefully, by 2022, South Africa will change its stance. For the rest of the world, it’s Qatar 2022, so digest it!
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