Football Is Not Just A Sport. It's A Life-Saver.

Football, or 'Soccer', as the Americans like to refer to it, has had a large impact on my life. There are times when it seems that my calendar revolves around the next set of matches and everything takes second priority. The amount of exhilarating football on offer these days is limitless, from the English Premier League, Italian Serie A or the Spanish Primera Liga to name a few. However there is no bigger stage then the World Cup. It is almost as if the world comes to a halt during this month-long tournament once every 4 years. It was estimated that around 715 million people tuned-in to watch the last World Cup Final between Italy and France. This is more than any other sports event, even more than any Olympics event in history. The tournament is turned into a colorful spectacle as people from all over the world go to support their team dressed in every color of the rainbow. Next year, the privilege of hosting the event is bestowed upon South Africa. Whilst the sporting benefits that comes along with hosting such an event is obvious, the economic and social positives that are presented cannot be understated.

World Cup 2010 Immune To Global Crisis

In an expose by 'Africagoodnews', the great importance and responsibility of hosting such a large event was highlighted from the opening line, "Africa waited decades to host its first soccer World Cup and when it comes, it's during an unprecedented global economic crisis." From first glance, this statement could take on two meanings. It could be beneficial that the tournament comes at a testing time as this would obviously bring investment and revenue into the country. However the situation could also be taken from the view-point that it is detrimental to host the competition during a period when people are less inclined to travel and spend as much during these uncertain times. The author appears to have taken the positive side of things, as he remarks, "not even the worst crisis since the Great Depression seems likely to deter millions of fanatical football fans or big commercial sponsors." This sense of optimism is given some credibility with the inclusion of quotes from the Marketing Manager of FIFA, "We are quite lucky that the recession has not touched FIFA, and in that regard the World Cup. Our sponsors are strong partners. They have suffered under the crisis, but all are clearly behind FIFA and the World Cup". FIFA is a football governing body and handles the organisation of the World Cup, so this positive outlook must be a huge relief to South Africa.

During the article things are still put into perspective. There is no denying that the world's major economies such as the United States and those in Europe which consist of the top footballing nations, have been struggling during the recession. This has affected every sports industry which has had to "counteract dwindling incomes". Colen Garrow, an economist for financial services group Brait, issues a cautionary message whilst trying to be upbeat, "there is a risk that the success could be hindered by the lack of tourist buying power. But by then the global economy will have recovered somewhat and people may feel more confident to spend." I have to agree with this argument. South Africa is fortunate that slowly-but-surely things look like they are recovering and it appears that the worst period is over. Had the World Cup been a year or two earlier, things may have turned out rather sourly.

The USP (Unique Selling Point) that the World Cup possesses is that it is only every 4 years and whilst people may not have the same amount of disposable income as before, there is the acknowledgment that it is a one-off event. The author of the article points this out, "The World Cup may just be the tonic that helps not just South Africa but its neighbors get through the economic downturn." Rightfully so, other countries in Africa are taking full advantage of this period of increased exposure for the continent. Mozambique has encouraged its private sectors to build more tourist hotels and countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe are hoping to attract teams and fans for practice matches. In my opinion, the World Cup could turn out to be a 'life-saver' to many countries in Africa. A country like Zimbabwe which has really struggled economically in recent times with its unprecedented inflation, needs to take full advantage of any opportunities that presents itself with the World Cup. The consultancy division of Nomura International has estimated that "the World Cup will add about 0.6% to 0.7% to South Africa's economic growth in 2010. This has occurred as a result of "the country pouring billions of dollars into infrastructure spending, leaving construction as virtually the only industrial sector left standing in the recession." This illustrates the impact that the sporting tournament can have on an economy. It has the power to enhance the performance of various sectors and industries within the local economy for a tournament that lasts no longer then a month.

Hopes Are High Africa's First World Cup Will Bring Tourists And Financial Benefits

There seems to be a universal agreement about the potential benefits that the World Cup can bring to South Africa and the continent in general. In an article written by 'GlobalPost', Nicolas Brulliard reinforces the honor and prestige presented in hosting the world's largest sporting event to a country that "less than 20 years ago was excluded from most international competitions because of sanctions against the apartheid regime." The inclusion of this point truly exemplifies the progress that South Africa has achieved in a short time period after overcoming one of the most repressive social systems in history and it has certainly improved its global image.

Like the first article, there is similarly the addition of a sense of caution. It notes that "the World Cup will be an immense logistical challenge for the country, which despite having the continent's largest economy, is plagued by a chronic skills shortage, widespread poverty and one of the world's highest crime rates." This is one of the fears looming over those responsible for hosting the tournament. Having been born in South Africa and having chosen to leave due to the escalating crime, I can personally testify first-hand at the destructive nature that this enormous social problem can have. I believe that its impact during the tournament will either be black or white. Either there will be no major issues and the tourists get to enjoy the competition in a relatively care-free environment, or it will be a major issue and could potentially spoil a magnificient event.

The 'GlobalPost' similarly highlights the vast array of benefits that South Africa has encountered due to the event. It is approximated that around "400,000 jobs have already been created, which is significant in a country that has an unemployment rate of 23.5%." The impact on the tourist industry is also considerable with "local organisers expecting around 450,000 overseas visitors and an economic benefit that could reach $7 billion." The article is concluded with a message that I thought was succinct but sweet in nature. "The elections of 1994 really changed the way the world thought of South Africa. Effectively, 2010 has the opportunity to take it to the next level."

The World Cup has presented Africa with a great opportunity to showcase its beauty and potential in front of the eyes of the world. The importance of putting on a show in a relaxed and friendly environment and not letting the social and economic problems that grip the continent get in the way, is paramount. I personally believe South Africa has the potential to put on the best World Cup the world has ever seen by some distance. However, having the potential counts for nothing unless it is realised. Fingers crossed South Africa.



Websites Read:

http://www.africagoodnews.com/2010-fifa-world-cup/world-cup-2010-seen-immune-to-global-crisis.html

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south-africa/090610/one-year-hosting-world-cup-south-africa-looks-at-soccer-tournament