The World Cup has started : More than a beautiful game
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: June 13 , 2014 -

The beautiful game. Just three words. Simple and straight but it is profound.

Not only because this came from Pele, arguably the greatest football player the world has seen, but because of the universal appeal of the game, cutting across nationalities, caste, creed, race, political affiliations and all the divides that mankind have created.

All sports have their own appeal but there is something that sets the game of football apart from the rest.

Hard to put to words, but it appeals not only to the mind but also the heart and this is something that not many sports discipline can claim.

There is something exquisitely humane about the game and the more one reads the stories woven around the World Cup, the more one is drawn towards this game.

When Spain lifted the World Cup trophy four years back, amid the flying confettis and the cheers, it was not only the team and Spain which celebrated the victory but the world.

It was the same thing when Italy did it in 2006 or when Brazil lifted its fifth title in 2002.

It is not for nothing why it still brings a lump to the throat when anyone recalls or read about a weeping Platini (France) leading his team out of the 1982 World Cup after the defeat to the then West Germany in what is today touted as one of the most exciting matches in the history of World Cup.

Those who grew up in the 80s will still remember with misty eyes a crying Paul Gascoigne after he was booked in a semi-final match against West Germany at Italy 1990, which meant that even if England had won the match, he was ruled out for the next match.

England eventually lost to West Germany in a penalty shoot out but more than anything else it was the weeping Gascoigne that became the hallmark of Italia 1990.

Many will still feel the shock when Roberto Baggio of Italy missed in the 1994 penalty shoot out in the final against Brazil.

Or when Zinedine Zidane head butted Materazzi of Italy in the final in 2006, which in a way gifted the match and championship title to Italy.

And of course who can forget the 'Hand of God' goal by Maradona against England in 1986 and again Maradona in the same match when he sprinted half way across the field, dribbled past five English players to score a spectacular goal, that has since been voted as the greatest goal in World Cup history.

These short snippets from the past are indications of the wide ranging appeal of football and this should sum up the real essence of 'The beautiful game'.

The biggest sports event, outside the Olympics, the world's attention will be on Brazil, the host country, at least till July 13.

Already experts have started rating the teams and Manipur is not an exception, with many 'experts' predicting or giving their opinion especially at the roadside tea stalls and in every leiraks and leikais.

The air is thick with excitement and why not ?

With the best players ready to take the field and put their best foot forward, literally speaking, there will be moments of magic woven on the field.

In equal measures there will be heart breaks and tears too.

This is not unique to football, but the difference lies in the way in which the game manage to touch the heart of everyone.

Like other sports or like life itself, the game too has undergone some changes.

Strikers are now better protected with referees coming down heavily on rough tackling, especially from behind.

The touch line goal technology should ensure that there will not be a repeat of the West Germany versus England final in 1966.

Beyond the matches is the big money involved, legal or otherwise.

The World Cup is no longer just about hosting or holding a tournament, but involves a whole gamut of processes, from selecting the host country to sponsorship deals and building state of the art stadia.

Thankfully Brazil seems ready, if the report card given by FIFA is any indication.

Remember, a few months back, there were questions galore over whether Brazil will be ready on time to host the biggest sporting event in the world. Having said this, our prayer to the Power Department not to play spoilsport.