The Dark Side of the Truth

By hosting the mega event, World Cup Soccer 2010, South Africa is getting worlds attention now. The “South Africa vs Mexico” opening match of the soccer world cup 2010 had been witnessed by people across the globe, over their television sets. For the millions of people it has been the first experience to witness South African soccer, the festivity and enthusiasm of sports lovers of that country around the event; and of course, the first experience of hearing the deafening buzz of thousands of “Vuvuzela” horns blowing incessantly inside the stadium.

As they say, the first impression is a lasting one. So, people are going to look into it from every possible angle, and will try to discover South Africa through this experience, on their own way.

As I enjoy knowing about people and culture, so I took this as an opportunity to know about South African people. One thing drew my attention about the playing eleven who represented South African soccer team on the opening match of the World cup soccer 2010. There I didn’t notice any Caucasian person (who represents about 11% of the population of South Africa) in the side. This surprises me, as the European countries, with their superb display of excellence in this game over the decades, have been a major contributor to popularize this game all over the world. Is the Caucasian section of the South African population not interested in soccer at all? Why there is not a single one of them who are talented enough to get a spot in the final eleven of the opening match, while their country itself hosting the game. Because I believe that “talent” should be the ONLY criteria for any selection, in any field, in any place in the world.