EDITOR—The World Cup trophy finally made it to Uganda. To many football and sports fans, this is the ultimate trophy— a celebration of the best in soccer. As usual, it found Uganda’s FUFA in their everlasting squabbles.The trophy has a deeper meaning.
President Museveni kept smiling as he touched it. I am sure the Cranes team was wondering when to win it. Why exactly does the World Cup trophy attract so much enthusiasm? According to records in the FIFA website, over 28.8 billion viewers watched the World Cup in 2002 making it the most watched event in television history.
The trophy which is the ultimate prize in world soccer is a 13cm, 18-carat gold object. Most people wondered about the security around it. It has been stolen twice—in Brazil and Britain! The original trophy was known as Jules Rimet in honour of the FIFA president Jules Rimet who in 1929 passed a vote to imitate the competition. It reveals the dream of making it to the pinnacle of one of the greatest sports.
It also means that amidst competition, there ought to be fair play, adhering to rules and acknowledging that there is always a winner and a loser in any competition. In 1986, the current coach of Argentina, Diego Maradona, used what Ugandans could call juju to win the trophy. I am told that last week, Thierry Henry also used the same ‘juju’.
The trophy represents the ultimate dream and spirit for the African people. I am sure Nelson Mandela will be the happiest man on earth for breaking a record.
Since 1930 when the tournament was first played, although at times its reputation is marred by violence and racism, football has become a symbol of peace and unity. In countries that have witnessed violence on ethnicity, it can reduce tension, ethnic prejudices and promote reconciliation and maintain peace.
That is why, despite our differences in tribes and other related characteristics of backward societies, when the Uganda Cranes go to Namboole stadium, the ‘Ugandan spirit’ evaporates.
That is a sign that if we stopped our squabbles and mismanagement of the little funds we get for our clubs and sports in general, we would be doing better.
It is true in 2010 South Africans and Africans for the first time in their history will watch the world cup in Africa. It has come when Africa as a continent has produced the best footballers in the world.
Some of those people are Kanu, Drogba and Esien. At least we shall watch the World Cup with hope. This is a big lesson to East African national teams like the Harambee Stars, Uganda Cranes, Amavubi etc, to prepare themselves and go beyond touching the trophy but attempting to win the World Cup tournament.
The ministry of Education and Sports should start programmes of tapping talent. For example, the Coca cola cup is a good source of soccer talent. It is from such competition that Ugandan football will improve its fortunes. But FUFA should stop agonising and start organising.
Stephen Asiimwe
Kampala