Arun returns with an article about the World Cup, written before yesterday’s debacle.

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In a country torn apart by apartheid, and ruined by discrimination, there was a ray of hope. During this era of darkness which clouded a continent, on Robben Island, many political prisoners were imprisoned. Among those incarcerated, were two special individuals, who both would go on to become President of South Africa. However, those who were in control of Robben Island, the ‘National Party’, intended that those who entered Robben Island, would never leave. The belief that was by torturing the prisoners, eventually they would rather be dead than stand one more day on the island, and the prison population would soon add to the death count.

However, after months and months of fighting, the prisoners were finally awarded the concession that they craved. Nelson Mandela, Kgalema Motlanthe et al were awarded what they fought tooth and nail for. What was it? A football league. Nothing more, nothing less. Why? Because it gave them hope. It gave the prisoners a release, and it gave them something to put their hearts and souls into, and it worked.

11th February 1990. To me and you, this is any other day. Nothing special here on the face of it, but no, if you were to think that, you’d be wrong. This was the day that South Africa took its first steps towards liberation. Nelson Mandela was released from prison, taking his first steps as a free man in 27 years. Five years later, while in office, as the President of South Africa once again realised and grasped the power of sport. He took the first step to get his country behind the South African rugby team, the Springboks. What was once a symbol of the apartheid, became the symbol of a new life for the Rainbow nation. It was truly time for one country and its people to stand up as one and embrace togetherness, co-operation, and a new life.

The sight of Nelson Mandela in a Springbok jersey, walking into the South African dressing room at Ellis Park Stadium, was one that encapsulated the momentous shift that the country had undergone. It had changed forever, and sport was at the heart of the new revolution.

2.5 billion.

Two and a half billion people will tune into the opening ceremony for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, as all eyes turn to Africa and another enormous event in the history of a nation emerging from its destructive past. However, now is not a time to turn back the pages. Time may have passed, and his body now may be more frail than ever before, but Madiba, a 92 year old icon, will make an appearance at the opening ceremony for the World Cup.

This World Cup will be viewed in over 210 countries, as organisers aim to beat the previous record cumulative television audience of 26.29 billion, recorded four years ago. The sheer importance of this World Cup cannot be underestimated. It’s a chance for the world to celebrate, and for Africa to take another giant leap forward. It is the greatest show on earth.

That is it, in a nutshell. The World Cup is the greatest show on earth. Everyone has ‘their’ World Cup. It is your first World Cup, your favourite, the one that made you fall in love with football, and the first time when a gleaming trophy they called the ‘Jules Rimet’ allowed you to dare to dream.

Personally, it was the class of ’98. Before the tournament began, I was a normal kid. Nothing special, with no real hobbies or passions…then it began. Four minutes into the opening game, Brazil took the lead against Scotland, in a game destined to finish 2-1 to the Samba stars, and the interest began. Over the next few weeks it grew and grew, culminating in the final between France and Brazil. Was Ronaldo fit? Why wasn’t he on the original team sheet?! As the inquest began, my thirst for knowledge was established. If every World Cup was like this one, then I wanted in.

Of course, that World Cup had its defining moment earlier in the tournament, in a place called St. Étienne. England faced Argentina with a real chance of going all the way. Three Lions had been re-released, and the pain of Euro ’96 banished. Now was England’s time. Granted, they finished second in the first round group, but with Shearer, Scholes, Campbell and Seaman, we had a chance. Oh, and there were two kids there too. They went by the names of David Beckham and Michael Owen. In the space of 120 minutes, one was to become a hero, while the other was set on a path of vilification. Michael Owen’s superb solo goal remains my clearest memory of that tournament, but it is closely followed by THAT kick out. Diego Simeone knew exactly what he was doing whilst riling the young, up-and-coming starlet. He looked for a reaction, and he got one. Moments after half-time, David Beckham’s foolish kick out brought himself a red card, and England their tickets for a return home. While the other players valiantly fought on for 70 more minutes, our hopes were dashed. In my mind, the headlines that followed in the news were as shocking as they were damning of the boy from Peckham. “TEN HEROIC LIONS, ONE STUPID BOY.”…and there we had it. One boy had the finger of blame pointed squarely at him, as a nation turned against one person.

One foolish action, and a nation’s mood changes. That is the untold power of the World Cup. The power to bring together, and the power to divide. Nations can be united when faced with the prospect of one aim. The power of football can never be underestimated, and the situation another African country has proved this. Civil war has raged throughout the Ivory Coast for years, with innocent civilians being caught up in the crossfire between warring factions. There seemed to be no resolution to the conflict and the country looked set to go from bad to worse. However, out of the chaos emerged one man with a plea for peace. Ivory Coast captain and national icon Didier Drogba came out and appealed for peace in his country…you know what’s even crazier? It worked.

Didier Drogba is an example of a phenomenon which has gripped the world in recent times. He has acquired an almost God-like status in his country. Children are named after him, fashion lines, dances and even items of food. Drogba is not just a footballer, he is an icon to all.

When did this all start? The first player who acquired such a divine, erring on deific status was none other than Maradona. After the 1986 World Cup, he was hailed by all of the Argentinean public. While his actions were enough to turn one nation against him, it heightened his popularity and reputation in his homeland. He is adored to such an extent whereby now he is hailed as a God. He is consulted on all worldly issues, ranging from the Pope to the President of the United States. There are churches named after him, and he is adored. The adoration has reached such levels, that his fellow countrymen seem to not give a damn that he has left their World Cup ambitions in tatters. I mean, here is a person who is deliberately ruining his country’s chances, out of envy towards to the best player in the world. Classy.

However, despite a horrific qualifying campaign, and despite a novice manager who wouldn’t know tactics if they came and slapped him in the face, Argentinean fans will travel to South Africa with one thing in common…Blind faith.

They won’t be alone. Fans of 32 different national sides will round on Africa, united by the belief that against all odds, this could be their year. This could be the year when one man comes from nowhere to write his name into the record books. The year when everything goes right, and dreams become reality.

The World Cup has another unique effect, on the millions…perhaps billons, who find themselves glued to television screens at all times in the day. Viewers in England are treated to days of non-stop football, while football mad New Zealanders will wake up at 4am in the morning just to see their country fight to gain some pride in a group of practically no hope. The stats surrounding the World Cup and football fans are as shocking as they are impressive. The numbers of people who watch matches is astounding, as whole nations throw their weight behind 11 men, while the number of heart attacks hit an annual high, with levels of blood stocks plummeting to new lows.

This year someone will become a hero, memories, stories will be written, and we’ll watch every single moment of it.

…The date? The date is now 26th June 2010. The World Cup has graced our television screens for over a fortnight, and it’s been a tremendous World Cup to date. While the football has taken it’s time to get into full swing, the nation of South Africa, and the continent in general have taken the Greatest tournament in the world to their hearts. The party is well and truly underway, and everyone’s here.

Well, apart from France. They seemingly never turned up. Actually, neither did Italy. Two big teams who failed at the first hurdle, while lesser lights such as New Zealand, Switzerland and Chile have made a real mark on this World Cup. We’ve seen the likes of Messi reproduce his sensational club form, while relatively unknown players have risen to prominence, such as Endo and Honda for Japan, as well as Coentrão of Portugal and the seemingly unstoppable Mezut Ozil of Germany.

We’ve also been dealt with a more than interesting set of results, with the likes of favourites Spain being toppled by Switzerland, Germany losing out to Serbia and England..well..doing pretty much nothing really. However, this has made for an enthralling last 16 draw, with England up against the old enemy from Deutschland, Argentina against the free-flowing Mexicans, and Spain against Portugal. Oh, and that’s neglecting the intriguing duel between the efficient Brazil and free-flowing Chile, who have been right up there with the very best so far.

The prospects for England? Well, depending on who you are, they’re grim or extremely interesting. Germany. Argentina. Spain. Brazil…Well, they say that you’ve got to beat the best, don’t they?!

However, the tournament has become something of a side-story for me. When I first started this article, I claimed that this was a World Cup for Africa, and for the future. It was a massive step forward for the country and the continent. Was I right? Well, the media would seemingly have you think so, and they’d suggest that I was completely correct in my suggestion. Me? Now? Not so sure.

Why? Well, during the past fortnight, while I’ve been astounded by many of the stories we have heard, of local people making a success out of the World Cup, such as the one bar owner in Rustenburg who cleaned up following the England matches there, there is another side to this. There is a side to this World Cup that we aren’t being shown. This isn’t a World Cup for all. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Heck, how can it be a World Cup for all when it’s not even a World Cup for all of Africa?

Where to being? Well, how about you answer this question. How much of Africa have we seen because of this World Cup? How many townships? How many real stories? The World Cup is being made exclusive to the middle class of South Africans, something that has long been feared, and the poor South Africans, who truly idolise our game, are being priced out of this World Cup. Many will see no benefit whatsoever from this tournament, with less tourists visiting African than predicted, and the majority of fans concentrated in already built up areas, feeding money into the FIFA machine.

Many in townships still live in poverty, and this World Cup will do nothing for them, and while many will argue that this tournament was never going to do wonders, it may well do the opposite. This tournament paints the picture that Africa is making great progress – which it is – and it paints a picture that all is well. It isn’t. Vast numbers live in poverty and this is being hidden from the rest of the world. People aren’t being told the full story and Africa is losing out. These people are losing out. The people who were promised great change with the award of a World Cup, have been let down, by the South African government, and by FIFA.

Ah FIFA. FIFA, FIFA, FIFA. The International Federation of Association Football. A Federation of Football? Don’t make me laugh. They’re an absolute disgrace. An association that has more sponsors than some of the national teams (Coca-Cola, Emirates, Hyundai, Sony, Visa and Adidas, to name a few) is in control of our game? Well, it’s clear where their interest lies. Not in our game, not in the health and welfare of our clubs, but in their bank balance. In a country such as South Africa, where poverty still exists, living standards are poor at best, education far from impressive and with transport and travel leaving much to be desired, it’s clear where money should be directed. The money should be used to improve the general welfare of the public. But, no. The South African government have spent $3 billion on this World Cup, and how much are they going to make? Here’s a clue, it’s a pretty round figure when compared to what FIFA are going to earn. FIFA are going to earn about £3 billion from this World Cup, while the South African government can expect nothing like that figure in return. But, this is what FIFA do. They come in, let you spend all of your own money as a country, take all the profit, and leave.

What has been FIFA’s greatest annoyance? That they didn’t market Vuvuzela’s. The African instrument was sold by Africans to Africans, and FIFA lost out big time.

“Oh, but look at what will be left behind! A legacy! Stadia!”

Legacy? Oh, great. Some stadia will do wonders for those in poverty. I’m sure they’ll be very proud of the World Cup that gave them nothing and took money away from crucial uses of it. I’m sure they’ll be down right chuffed. Africa has lost. Lost big time. Yes, the World Cup is good. Also yes, it has had a unifying effect on large parts of the country, but will it really have the lasting effect required? Well, how will the ordinary man on the street benefit? Will he see any of that money? Apart from the odd bar owner here and there, and the hotels in major cities, how else will the money filter down to the normal African?

The true money-grabbing nature of FIFA as an organisation is clear in every match that you watch. How many empty seats are there? Hundreds? Thousands? It’s a disgrace. This is the greatest tournament on earth, and FIFA priced people out of it. Innocent, football loving people. One ticket for an average game can cost a week’s wages for the average South African, so how are they meant to keep this up? How can they go to games when they need to feed their families and look after them first? The pricing structure has been a complete joke but don’t worry, FIFA don’t mind, they’ve got enough money out of this World Cup to keep the fat-cats happy for another few years.

The sheer lengths to which FIFA refuse to go, to help the normal fan will be on show at the England/Germany clash. Only 4,500 England fans currently hold tickets, and while FIFA promised one day to release new tickets, the next morning, after fans had queued for over 3 hours, the party line changed and the message was that there were no tickets to be released. Fan exchanges should’ve been set up for fans whose team had found themselves in a different venue, but no. That was too much effort for FIFA, and they wouldn’t get anything out of it…so idea dropped.

That leaves me with one last point. One last annoyance, if you will. Constantly, everyday, the national media tell us that Africa is wholly behind every African side. Let me give you a more relevant way to think of this idea. Imagine everyone in Manchester, supporting Liverpool, because Liverpool had gone further in the Champions League. Unthinkable? To many Africans, so is this. You just don’t change your allegiances overnight, and while there are some Africans who are proud simply to have any African side in the last 16, the majority are more concerned with their own team’s performances, and nothing else. The idea that Africa is united, however, suits the media outlets better. It gives them their story to sell, and their angle to put out. Doesn’t mean it’s true though.

Yes, this World Cup is a show. It’s been quite a show, to boot. There have been ups and downs, and an arrays of colours and sights unique to this tournament. South Africa, despite all its problems, is proving to be a good host to those travelling from abroad, and the people are enjoying the show. But, maybe, that’s the problem. This is just a show.

…One thing’s for sure, this World Cup will be remembered. Personally, and for many, we classify our World Cups. For me, ’98 was where it all began, ’02 was the trip into the unknown, proving the truly universal attraction of football, and ’06 was the glorification of football supporters from all over the world celebrating together.

This World Cup will also be remembered. I’ll remember it as the World Cup when Africa got it’s turn. A World Cup that came about due to one man’s determination to write his own name into the history books, and even though it was built on shaky foundations, it was a World Cup which did make a difference. While there were problems, there were successes, and the initial success of Bafana Bafana inspired a nation. They inspired a continent. They energised a world.

The saying that will sum up this World Cup, and the general feeling about this World Cup, came from the only man in such a position to provide such words. The man who started it all. Before the vote was passed, before Blatter got this idea in his head and before South Africa was free. The man who was incarcerated in his own nation, without ever losing sight of the future. In the song produced by Siphiwo, the words of this great man sends shivers down your spine.

“The generosity of human spirit can overcome all aggressors to it. Through compassion and caring, we can create…hope.”

Yes, there have been problems, and yes they could’ve done it differently. But this is it. Whether Blatter was self-minded or a visionary, it matters not. The World Cup has been brought to the Rainbow Nation, and it’s a step forward. Once again, people have hope.