"But soccer has also proved unique in its ability to bridge differences and overturn national prejudices. The fact that the World Cup could even take place in South Korea and in Japan, as it did in 2002, was a victory for tolerance and understanding. In less than half a century South Korea had gone from not allowing the Japanese national team to cross its borders for a World Cup qualifier, to co-hosting the tournament with the former occupier" (Soccer, 2009).
Soccer's universality lies in its simplicity. It lies in the fact that the game can be played anywhere with anything. Children from anywhere can kick the can on concrete or kick a rag wrapped around a rag, barefoot, on the dirt. Soccer is something to believe in now, maybe empty at its core, but not a replacement for anything else (Soccer, 2009).
The beautiful game can be at its most unfair, frustrating, and magnificent all at the same time. And what makes the World Cup most beautiful is the world, all of it together. The joy of being one of the billion or more people watching 32 countries abide by 17 rules fills people with the conviction, perhaps ignorant, that soccer can unite us all (Soccer, 2009). Humans have always played some version of a kicking game. What the world now calls association football, or soccer, evolved in medieval Britain and was formalized by England's Foofball Association in mid-19th century. British sailors and merchants spread the game to the far corners of the world, where soccer's simple formula, imagination and a ball, found instant translation. "Today soccer is played in every nation on earth, by more than 120 million regular players and countless others on beaches, playgrounds and streets" (Soccer Unites the World… (FIFA) Federation Internationale de Football Association, 2006).
Soccer is seen as a sport for everyone. Soccer in the U.S. is both male and female sport, since a 1970s boom in youth soccer taught girls to play and equal opportunity laws opened new horizons for them at the college level. In 1991 the U.S., won the first Women's World Cup, and repeated in 1999. With a strong showing in World Cup 2002, the U.S. men are also on the rise, although on any given day regional rivals Mexico and Canada or smaller nations such as Guatemala or Costa Rica can humble their giant neighbor. Soccer is the great equalizer (Soccer Unites the World… (FIFA) Federation Internationale de Football Association, 2006).
In South America there are 15,236,800 total players. Overcoming chronic poverty and poor infrastructure, South America consistently produces some of the most exciting soccer on Earth. Brazil and Argentina are proving grounds for young players, whose flamboyance and skill are admired by the rest of the world. Many players are snapped up by wealthy European teams after making their mark at home, where clubs rarely have the money to keep them (Soccer Unites the World…(FIFA) Federation Internationale de Football Association, 2006).
In Europe there are 35,783,000 players. This is the birthplace of the modern game, England helped popularize soccer worldwide. In 1966, on its home soil, it won its single World Cup. Roday most global soccer revenue comes from Europe, home to the world's richest professional clubs. Hosted by Germany, the 2006 World Cup will bring together the best national teams in the world, who survived a rigorous, two-year competition to qualify (Soccer Unites the World… (FIFA) Federation Internationale de Football Association, 2006).
In Africa the total number of players is 6,984,500. Africa already produces its share of superstars, but it lacks strong domestic leagues and loses many of those stars to European clubs. Like South America, Africa is poor in resources but rich in talent, with thousands of gifted young players dreaming of the big time. Teams such as Nigeria and Ghana light up the world stage and could have a home continent advantage in 2010, when South Africa hosts Africa's first World Cup (Soccer Unites the World…(FIFA) Federation Internationale de Football Association, 2006).
Asia has 34,708,100 players. Over the past two decades, a heated soccer rivalry, among Japan, China and South Korea, has stirred soccer passions across the continent. Not all countries share the fervor, however; India and Pakistan prefer other sports, especially cricket. Meanwhile, oil-rich Persian Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar are investing huge sums of money in their programs, hiring the best coaches and player's...
This has led to reconciliation among the divided states. It is this unifying theme that is also expressed in both the book, Friday Night Lights, as well as the movie, Miracle. The Unifying Effects of Representative Sports as Demonstrated in Friday Night Lights and Miracle: In Bissinger's Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, the author explores the societal webwork that is Odessa, Texas. An oil town that
Soccer in Brazil Imagine going to the country of Brazil, but before going one studies the history and impact of soccer. The culture is influenced and the people strive to either participate or cheer on the team. This region is unified by this sport, and life is not the same without it. One will examine how much this game has inspired the economy and everyone in the nation for the
Football Sold its Soul to the Media? The increase in investments in football has been considered as a force of good since it has revolutionized various aspects of the game for the better. In actual sense, money has revolutionized football by contributing to its development as a globalized sport that connects people together. These investments have also been characterized by the increased inclusion of the media, especially television in the
b) The Football Championship in Lisbon The capital of Portugal has received little investments in developments and infrastructure from both the public as well as the private sectors. But the football championship has stimulated the construction and development of two stadiums in north and northeast parts of the capital, namely the Benfica and Alvalade stadiums. The hosting of the football championships, supported by the two stadiums, draws the attention of investors and
Olympic Games were incredibly popular, sold out events that ran every four years for twelve centuries. That they were so popular and so long-lived indicates that the Olympic Games held a vital place in Greek society. As Perrottet () notes, the Greek writer Epictetus saw the Games as a metaphor for human existence. As noted, the Games were a difficult experience, fraught with heat, crowds, dirt, clamor, insect infestations and
Invictus Leadership Analysis1Invictus is a film that follows Mandela�s release from prison and his role as president of South Africa. The theme of the film is how to inspire the men and women of the nation to put aside their differences and come together as one community so that they can heal from their past wounds. To help the nation heal, Mandela realizes the country needs something to believe in,
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