In every society and culture, there are many things that we share in common and many differences as well. However, there is something that links and unites us all. That is what known as sports. Sports are a way to get away from the daily frustration work and spark a moment of joy. There are many different types of sports brought positive contribution in society, but one ubiquities sport stands above all others in the world, which is known as soccer. Soccer is a sport that is played in every continent in the world and is one and only sport not limited to boarder. It is a sport that everyone can participate and does not really need many components. Soccer is the most exciting sport because it is impressive to participate and spectacular to watch.
The development of soccer as sport and its rules was dated back to nineteen century. However, game similar to soccer was played for a long time. According to football international federation association (FIFA), the first recorded form was called Tsu’ Chu and it consisted of “a lather ball filled with feather and hair through opening, measuring only 30-40 cm in width, into small net fixed onto long bamboo cane.” Soccer-like game developed in England in late of three century, “with a ball game recorded on Shrove Tuesday derby” as festival to commemorate the military victory over contingent of Roman troops. During this period, no rules were developed to make it an integral part of sport. In the early 1800’s, some English schools played a game similar to soccer and began to set rules. Those participant schools added many rules to the game, but each school interpreted differently. “In 1848, a group of schools met at Trinity College in Cambridge College in Cambridge and drew up the first set of soccer rules [1]. Twenty years later, the London football association developed new sets of rules. As many nations began to embrace soccer, the new organization body needed to oversea and regulate soccer. The Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) was formed in 1904 as an international governing body. Today, FIFA, which is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, has more than one hundred-forty member nations and overseas about thirty-nine million players worldwide. [1] Soccer became the world fastest growing sport in which nearly all nations of the world try to invest time and energy to compete with one another.
Soccer arguably dominates and surpasses all of the modern games of the world. Soccer is being played all over the world and attracted a large crowed. The observation of enjoyment and spectacular leave its mark of beauty and artistic that has never seen before. Nations are embracing to cultivate young players and compete one another to host the game. It provides a great fortune and improves a nation economy.
The evolution of soccer in modern era paves the way to drive many young talented players to go abroad in searching for better life. Europe is the leading continent to recruit the best talented players from around the world and continue its dominance. When one country stages the big events of soccer, the investment and recognition of that country lead to prosperity. The revolution of soccer in a modern games has changed the perception of people in a way which has never been noticed in any sport history because soccer is a driving force of stability of a country to promote peace, leading contribution to sustain healthy economy, involving players of many nations in one soccer club and promoting countries profile in world community.
Soccer plays a significant role in promoting peace in war-ravaged countries. Soccer is one of the vehicles to deliver political stability in one country. Perhaps, we tempted to assume that there are no correlations between soccer and politics. However, the positive contribution of soccer in bringing stability of many nations changes the way we think of soccer today. For instance, ten years ago, one tiny nation of West African country was tormented with civil war between south and North Ivory Coast. Many people of this country killed after post election dispute and Ivory Coast’s economy was in a brink of collapse. However, Many national professional players, who are playing many famous soccer team clubs across Europe, worked untidily to unite their population. These players represent from all section of Ivory Coast. When this nation involved in world cup and cup of African nation, people forgot their enmity and gave ultimate support and cheer their players tremendously. “Chelsea striker Drogba, a hero in his home country, has been named as one of the 11 members of Ivory Coast's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to probe violence that broke out after last November's disputed presidential vote.” [2] Naming one of best-known players around the world, who is a leader of the country’s national team captain to mediate and heal the nation, shows the achievement of soccer in modern world which is proved to be not only played for entertainment but also for advancement of peace and security around the world.
The achievement of peace, security and unity of a nation documented during sectarian war in one country that contributed to world civilization. The place called Mesopotamia (currently called Iraq) was known for the origin of civilization in world history. However, the country was in turmoil after 2003 due to sectarian violence (Sunnis and Shias) and invasion. When Iraq participated in Asian cup and won it in 2006, all Iraqis celebrated their joys beyond comprehensible belief. ”This is a great time for Iraqis, and a small reward for their suffering from killings and displacement. This is a message to the entire world that Iraqis want peace, good, and building their country. This message is opposite to all the agendas working against the goals of Iraqis. The Iraqi politicians have failed in unifying Iraqis, but football did that.” [3] At the final whistle, there was much jubilation in the whole country for a resolute performance of their team. Soccer is their light in the dark which a grimes of shadow of civil war descents. Soccer took away hatred and enriched their souls with happiness when the tender was crushing up above.
Soccer becomes an uplifting of countries economy. Soccer is not perceived as innocent game any longer. When countries stage a big event such as world cup or European Champion league, the contribution of soccer in terms of income to the host country must not be underestimated. Many countries compete each other to host world cup that takes place every four years. In 2010, South Africa awarded to host the world cup. The opportunities and benefits of hosting this world cup highlighted the contribution soccer made to the South Africa economy. “South Africa has spent 34 billion rand ($4.6 billion) to host the soccer World Cup. The expense incurred in South Africa is for building and renovating 10 stadiums, improved transport infrastructure, and security. You can learn a bit about the stadiums here; they appear to be smartly designed.” [4] The money that was being spent improved many lives of South African people. There were many thousands people hired to build new stadium, refurnish the old, and maintain the security of attending this big event.
World Cup marketing, business marketing is usually taken to introduce the concept of product design as well as the World Cup jersey to buy advertising, stadium advertising and tourist attraction. The major products that produced in this world cup drew a lot of money to the major companies. The staggering amount of money that was being made from advertisements and major sponsors would elevate country’s problem, provide revenue for government, and add more local jobs. The World Cup drew thousands of people making their first or a rare trip to African continent, which can yield “opportunities for locales outside South Africa
- Beach tourism”. When tourists came for this world cup, they most likely went back to their home countries with positive experience. They might share this experience with their colleagues, friends, or relative members, which might lead to influx of tourists in the future.
Soccer elevates social status of people. Soccer is becoming social game in which everyone can participate regardless economical standings. The most beneficial people in soccer are people who have no strong financial backgrounds. Most of underprivileged kids from Africa, Asian and Latin America aim and dream to play for a big club that improves their fortune. One player (Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima), who nominated by world coaches and captains of national teams around the world, was received three awards “FIFA” player of the year and became top scorer of goals in the world cup all time. “Ronaldo grew up in the poor Rio de Janeiro suburb of Bento Ribeiro.” [5] Soccer paved the way to change one life significantly. On the other hand, the current best player of soccer in the world had run through difficult circumstances. “Messi was already showing promise in young age and he was considered a huge future talent, but unfortunately he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that could be treated, but its cost would be around $700 per month and the Messi family simply did not have that kind of money.” [6] For these players, soccer is larger than life. They embattled through many hardships and became the most recognized and distinguished people in waging war against poverty, creating their own charity to help poor communities, and remodeling for younger generations in every corner of the world.
Soccer has become a diversity sport. In many soccer clubs, one can spot international players from different countries. Now, many clubs have scout who recruit young talented players from many countries around the world or buy already talented players across the world. Big clubs such as Bayern Munich FC, Manchester united, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Real Madrid invested a plenty of money to purchase best players of the world to compete local and European Champion League. By wining major trophies, they will sell a number of jerseys, get major endorsements from companies, and sell television rights to overseas. Christian Ronaldo, who is currently playing for Real Madrid, transferred from Manchester United (Nicknamed “Red Devil”) for $130 million dollars. Real Madrid sold more than $100 million worth of Jersey of Christian Ronaldo in two years. [7] The greediness of top teams is killing soccer game. “Liverpool wants the Premier League's top clubs to be allowed to emulate Barcelona and Real Madrid by selling their own overseas television rights and Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre believes it is unfair that high-profile clubs with a global appeal are part of a collective deal that is worth 1.4 billion pounds ($2.2 billion) under a three-year deal.” [8] The beauty of soccer game that drives fans across the world with its entertainment and leave artistic mouth watering show in the field could lose its credibility if teams continue to go after money.
Finally, soccer promotes recognition of countries profile in the world community. If someone had an opportunity to ask something what is Brazilians best known for, the person would have answered by stating ‘Brazil is a king of soccer’ and Pele is arguably the best footballer of the century. Brazil won world cup five times in history in which only Germany and Italy are very close to beat this record. Moreover, Barcelona club dominates modern soccer game and every team tries to mimic their style of playing. Thus, playing soccer in a style will provide an ample opportunity for countries to be well known in world stage.
In summery, soccer has impacted people’s lives enormously and left impressions to billions soccer fans around the world. Soccer has become a game of intensity, source of income, and leading sport in advancement of peace and security. There are opportunities for proactive governments to get involved and promote their countries with marketing campaigns and advance their countries profile in the world.
Soccer becomes a weapon to eradicate poverty and brings hope to every society around the corner. No matter someone’s status may be, soccer has done one thing to make someone believe that nothing is not beyond a reach. However, the game has evolved from entertaining sport to bringing much needed money to certain group of people. Now, a lot of foreign investors own many big clubs in Europe and change the dynamic of the game. As its popularity skyrocketed all over the world, the game should not have evolved so quickly. To revive the sprit of soccer, the governing body of soccer should oversea the imbalance of the game in which rich owners spending money as they wish by implementing new rules to give an opportunity for small clubs.
Bibliography
[1] “Classic Football: History of the laws of the game” December 3, 2011
http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/index.htm
[2] Croft, Adrian.” Soccer Star Drogba works to heal Ivory Coast’s wounds” Dec 3, 2011. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/20/ivorycoast-drogba-idUKL5E7KK4DC20110920
[3] Al-Ghaderi, Akram. “The celebration across Iraq.” Dec 4, 2011. http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/the-celebration-in-baghdad/
[4] Louw, Allegra. “2010 FIFA soccer world cup South Africa.” Dec 5, 2011
http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/asl/info/Soccerbibliography01.pdf
[5] " Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima." 2011. Biography.com December 6, 2011 http://www.biography.com/people/ronaldo-9463212
[6] “Messi bibliography” 6, Dec 2011.
http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/lionel-messi.html
[7] “Cristiano Ronaldo” 6, Dec 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo
[8] “Liverpool wants greater share of TV rights money” December 6, 2011
http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2011-10-12/liverpool-wants-greater-share-of-tv-rights-money#ixzz1gZHlZ014
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