| Soccer: What terrific memories, thoughts and | | | | because it has never really been played worldwide |
| excitement that word generates. At this moment the | | | | and can't be compared favourably to the other codes |
| world is in the throes of the World Championship of | | | | as a spectacle, mainly because of lack of foresight |
| Football - yes, I call it football, because I believe it to be | | | | from administrators. That doesn't mean to say that it |
| the only true "foot" ball game. Just imagine if you will | | | | doesn't have a strong following. |
| the number of people who are tuning in to watch their | | | | Let me say this first of all. Whichever of the ball |
| country - if they have qualified, compete on the stage | | | | games is your cup of tea, fine. I can live with that. It's |
| of the biggest sporting tournament the world has to | | | | just the title of your sport that I find somewhat odd. I |
| offer. The great thing is that all nations hold some | | | | have heard criticism of football - the real football I |
| interest in this spectacle. It is something tangible from | | | | mean - making jibes about the ballet-type heading |
| South America to Australia. From Asia through Europe | | | | prowess of some of the players and the acting talents |
| to the United States. | | | | of some of its professional participants and, to a |
| Imagine if you will the passion of supporters of these | | | | degree I cede to that. |
| nations, when they score a goal to either give them | | | | But, facts are facts, irrefutable and concrete. This |
| the advantage in a particular match, or even more | | | | sport is the only football code that encourages the use |
| thrilling the winning goal in the World Cup final itself! | | | | and skill with the feet for its players. The word, my |
| OK, now we're in the mood of things, take into | | | | friends, is "football". |
| consideration that there are people on this planet who | | | | In all the other codes mentioned above, ninety per cent |
| have little or no interest in this event or the build up to it. | | | | of the time the ball is held in the players' hands. OK so |
| The folk to whom I refer, are those that pursue the | | | | they kick it occasionally - very occasionally in the US |
| pleasure of the other "football" codes on offer in this | | | | version. Incidentally, there could be an argument for not |
| diverse world of ours. | | | | calling that particular code "football" at all when you |
| Let me explain: We have a few other codes of | | | | take into consideration they only call someone on to |
| football played worldwide. The United States have | | | | the playing arena as a specialist to actually kick the ball |
| their own particular brand and in other countries Rugby | | | | to either start a game or add "bonus" scoring points to |
| League and Rugby Union are followed with a degree | | | | a team's total. |
| of passion, the latter reaching euphoric status in | | | | Enough is enough. I could go on forever. Don't think we |
| countries like New Zealand. There is another form of | | | | could ever get to a court of law with this one, because |
| football played in Australia called Australian Rules | | | | everyone will have their own opinion about their own |
| football affectionately known as "footy", although I tend | | | | favourite, but I reckon I've given a good argument for |
| to dismiss this game as somewhat of a novelty sport, | | | | Soccer being the true and only Football. |