Jessica Yorama
Daily Egyptian
The NBA finals recently ended. There are a few months left to the World Series and the Super Bowl is still a long way off. But, for many international students, the greatest sports competition in the world is going on right now- the World Cup.
Raphael Udihiri, a senior in physiology from Nigeria has been anticipating the arrival of the event.
"In my country, the World Cup is more popular than the Olympics."
Abdullah al-Otaib, a senior in electrical engineering from Kuwait credits the game's popularity to its fast pace and level of skill it requires.
"Soccer takes more control than other sports, "Otaib said. "You have to be able to move the ball from your head to chest without using your hands. It also takes a lot of teamwork."
Perhaps the respect for the skill level of soccer players is the reason soccer fans are so devoted. As opposed to fair-weather fans of other sports, the average soccer fan supports the game even if they do not support a particular team. Otaib admits that his team is not very good, but still watches the World Cup. When the team he is cheering for loses, he simply picks another team.
"I just love to watching the fight for the ball," Otaib says. "I've been watching since the first game."
Akm Khairul islam, a graduate student in political science from Bangledish has a similar feeling about the sport.
"Bangledesh does not have a good team," Islam said. "But I've been keeping up with the games anyway. I go for Brazil because they have good rhythm."
Anna Veltchkova says despite the fact her country of Bulgaria does not always fair well, residents of her country always find the time to cheer for the opponents of the French.
"The French team is very cocky," Velitchkova said. "The people in my country were literally cheering in the streets when they lost."
Joy is not the only emotion the game brings. Just as people join together to cheer one team after a victory, they also join together following a defeat. Islam says tears and even rioting are common reactions to a loss. He even recalls incidents of fan fatalities.
"There have been times when people in my country have had strokes and even died after a loss, "Islam said.
Raphael Udihiri also remembers times when team spirit has gone tooofar
"There were times, even in the regular season when people were killed in riots," Udihiri said.
Islam believes early exposure is one reason for the passion people possess when it comes to soccer.
"In most countries, children are introduced to soccer at a very young age," Islam said. "If you go to my country right now, rather you are at an office or playground, you will hear people talking about soccer.
Udihiri feels that lack of adequate exposure is responsible for Americans nonchalaunce when it comes to soccer, but hopes this will change in the near future
."I think Americans will become more passionate about the sport since they made it to the quarter finals," Udihiri said. "Where I'm from soccer is part of our tradition. No matter what differences we are having or what we are arguing about, we can always come together to watch soccer."
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
