Cup of Life

Ask me to name a player in each of the teams which made it to the 2010 World Cup and you will most probably get a blank stare. Frankly, I know only a few international football players and all of them are the really well-knowns. Heck, I can’t even name all the countries who qualified at South Africa.

I am just one of the many Filipinos who were smitten by the World Cup because of its prestige and the unutterable passion that goes with it – from the players down to the fans. But I do not embrace everything football. The World Cup is the only football tournament I got interested in ever since I caught a match on TV in 1998 when it was held in France.

I have no particular team as a favorite. I admired France’s tenacity when Zidane was still playing. Brazil is good at its worst but I don’t usually root for perennial winners. Of course I dream of seeing the Philippines compete in the World Cup but since it would probably remain as it is – a dream – for a long time, I would just cheer for Asian teams that take the battlefield against the mighty Europeans and Latin Americans. This year, I have my eyes on Spain since my sentimental choice France and the three Asian squads got booted early.

So what’s exciting in a game that is played for a grueling 90 minutes on a 130-yard field by 22 frantic men who use every part of their body but their hands to snitch and kick the ball into the goal but sometimes ends up with no score at all?

I cannot even try to give a decent answer but it would suffice to say that the thrill is in the waiting for that beauty of a goal which comes not so very often in a game. This sheer moment gives the euphoria of triumph – no matter how fleeting – that transcends from the field to its boundaries and to every single soul in the stadium who anticipates the goal. People spent so much of their time and energy to be there when that moment happens. Their passion to the sport is without equal they sometimes are willing to put their lives at risk even outside the gates of the arena.

Sadly, it is a thing that we only see in sports. If we can only have this same drive and enthusiasm on the most important aspects of our lives, then we can achieve more than winning games. I speak of noble pursuits that seem unattainable no matter how our world leaders try – peace, unity, humanity, and prosperity.

Then it dawned on me: What if we take our experience in sports and apply it to achieve these universal goals? How do you like the idea of a Peace Cup, Unity Series, Love Olympics, or Prosperity Bowl?

Imagine countries competing to determine which among them enjoys more peace. Imagine countries engaging in a show of unity. Imagine countries vying to prove they have love. Imagine countries battling to ensure that they prosper. 

What a wonderful world we would have.  

Or maybe I’m just thinking way, way out of the box. 

Blame the World Cup Fever for this.