What is needed is some perspective June 1, 2006

I’m not about to say : “The World Cup is the Biggest Event on the Planet” then make out, through my involvement, that it’s no big deal really, that we shouldn’t get so carried away really. That what is needed is some perspective. That there are far more important things.

I have struggled and probably strived to reach this point in my life when I, ME, am about to go there, on official business. To an event that comparatively few will attend, but as many as half the people on the planet will see (on tv). I have a role to play in his World Cup. In a sense I am a player. I can affect it. Now, that’s a thought. That’s an honour. That’s a responsibility.

Loads of people want to ‘carry my camera-bag’’ (more of that later).

I’m thrilled about the World Cup. I’m thrilled that other people are thrilled. That everyone seems interested. It is after all ‘the World Cup’. People have tried to call it soccer and in so doing to marginalise it, make it a product game, a game played outside of US America. Indeed, US America, the most powerful country on earth does not take the world game to heart. The world game, football, as opposed ‘American Football’ (which is why it is called American, to clearly say that it is not the Football which everyone else plays) is by far the most popular game, activity and cultural event on the Planet, calling on substantial participants and audiences from EVERY single country… including the U.S.A.

And I am pleased the US Americans do have an interest in football. I would not want them not to.

The world game outstrips the popularity of the Olympics, quite easily (also held every 4 years) and of almost every other game/activity put together. But I wouldn’t want people to hate the game because it is popular. Indeed most popular. It is an inclusive game. A game of underdogs. Of giants. Of teams. Of types of teams. Of tests. Of sleeping giants. Of fairy-tales, of shocks, of boring games, of struggle. Ultimately, put it all together, as happens every 4 years in World Cup competition format – AS OF NOW – and we have a great coming together, of every nation under the sun, on Planet Earth. Planet Earth LOOKS like a football. If only we could hold it! But not kick it!! It’s already taking the knocks.