Congratulations to Russia and Qatar for being elected by FIFA in yesterday’s meeting at Zurich in Switzerland to organize the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournaments respectively in Russia and in Qatar.When Joao Havalange came to power as president of FIFA while the current President Joseph Blatter was General Secretary of FIFA, Havalange promised to increase the number of contestants to the present level, 32 from 16 so that smaller countries from around the World would get a chance to show their soccer skills for the entire World. Havalange was more interested in the Third World Countries to give them better opportunities in the World Cup Tournaments. That was the very good decision of Havalange to increase the number of contestants in proper World Cup Tournament to 32.
Now, yesterday we saw another excellent decision taken by FIFA to allot Russia and Qatar to host 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournaments. Russia has got the distinction of representing many times in World Cup Tournaments and producing some of the top World class players, namely Lev Yaschin and Daseav – both were goalkeepers – Yaschin played his last World Cup match in 1966 against Portugal for the 3rd and 4th places when Portugal’s Black Panther Eusebio beat him in the penalty shot sending Yaschin to the other side of the goal. Later on as a chief guest Yaschin came to Calcutta for the IAF final between Mohun Bhagan and East Bengal. It was Yaschin who trained Daseav to be the best keeper later on.
In Olympic soccer tournament Russia did extremely well, so too in European Cups but never got a chance to host the tournament on their soil. By yesterday’s election to host the tournament in 2018 I feel proper justice has been done to Russia. In soccer, Russia is a powerhouse. No doubt Russia lacks lot of facilities to host such a massive event yet Russia will lack in nothing. From now and 2018, 8 years are remaining and during this long period surely Russia will build all the requirements to host FIFA World Cup 2018. I wish Russia all the best.
Regarding Qatar, I was having my own doubts whether Qatar such a small nation in the Gulf will be able to cope up with hosting of FIFA World Cup. But finally I proved wrong and Qatar got the chance to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. About 20 years back I came across an article in World Soccer Monthly Magazine saying that the capacity of Maracana Stadium in Brazil is equal to the population of Qatar. I don’t know how far it is true. But Qatar will do anything within its capacity to make the World Cup tournament as one of the most memorable. Qatar got money and with the power of excess money it will do everything to make the World Cup most successful.
Qatar is one of the member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council along with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. Being our neighbor we Kuwaitkars take pleasure in sharing the joy of Qatar. GCC countries soccer records and achievements are best in the Middle East and in Asia too. All the 5 GCC countries acquired distinction of playing in FIFA Word Cup Tournaments, Kuwait being the first followed by others. GCC countries spend millions with top management skill to train their young footballers. They acquire services of best of Coaches in the World and because of this they come up in soccer. Those who got no knowledge of Gulf soccer they will come to know shortly. Though 12 years are remaining yet within this long period Qatar will do everything possible to make 2022 the most successful tournament. Qatar got money, Qatar got unselfish people and Qatar got dedicated people to do their job. And I am sure Qatar will do the best as host of 2022.
What is hosting of FIFA Word Cup for any country? It is much - much more than just playing footbal. There is no greater sport in this world as this. It is honour, it is money and above all it is extremely high politics and because of this men like Clinton, Prince William and other top world leaders assembled in Zurich to put pressure on FIFA governing body to allot this World Cup to their respective countries. Once again FIFA proved that it will simply not bowdown in front of the top World leaders. For this reaon nobody and no power on this planet can bend FIFA. At the moment FIFA is the mot powerful organisation in the world. Its numerical strenght is even higher than that of UNO. In front of FIFA president Blatter, the world leaders became pigmies. It was the power of football or soccer that brought the whole world in front of FIFA.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
