Even the most famous cultural icons in history have been known to confess their love and support for the game of football. Throughout time football has touched the hearts of many celebrities and people of massive importance across the world. Nelson Mandela is a classic example for this point. Mandela is one of the most iconic, famous and respected men in the world both today and over the last 20-30 years. Mandela is known to participate in the support of the game and when his country South Africa were chosen as co hosts of the 2010 World Cup event, it was he, not the current president who took centre stage and helped promote his beloved countries big chance to hose the number one tournament of the beautiful game. Mandela was all over the press during the promotions of the 2010 World Cup, showing once again that football is not just about what happens on the pitch or ‘a bunch of men running around after a ball’. Mandela repeatedly spoke of the cultural importance of the game and rightly mentioned the main reason why the hosting of the tournament in South Africa was such a big deal. Football is a world wide sport and has therefore become a booming business in which the profits and money making potential, wherever it goes are endless. Mandela spoke of the togetherness it brings and the peaceful yet competitive atmosphere it will bring to his country when the tournament is hosted. He preached that football’s money making capabilities will bring a chance of a new start for the country, whilst the mixed cultures, nationalities and atmospheric conditions of the streets and country will provide much welcomed cross-nation interaction and friendships. Football, Mandela claimed, would be an advert for South Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment