nwasianweekly.com
June 17, 2006

Ah, the power of soccer.

In practically every country outside of the United States, people are going crazy for soccer right now. The World Cup has everyone — from Brazilians to Japanese, Germans to Saudi Arabians — riveted to their television sets, waiting with bated breath for their teams to score a “GOOOOOOOAL!”

In the Ivory Coast, not only has soccer excited a nation, but it is the cause of peace. Ethnic conflict, coup attempts and a bloody civil war have plagued this West African country for years. When its national team qualified for World Cup play last fall, the people danced in the streets for two days straight. The president called a truce. Members of warring factions — the Muslims in the north and the mostly Christians in the south — spoke to each other for the first time in years.

For at least the next few weeks, this country will be united instead of divided. The people will set aside their differences to cheer on a team that includes both Muslims and Christians.

What a beautiful notion.

Soccer, and sport in general, is showing itself to be a powerful political force. It’s played in such an innocent way that most people don’t realize it is a bridge-building tool. Even national leaders are getting caught up in the game.

If the World Cup can be responsible for people putting their guns down, what else can happen? Are there other ways to foster peace through soccer?

Here’s an idea: Future World Cups could include international conferences to give various countries, especially those that have been fighting with each other, chances to talk and understand each other better. Through this shared passion for soccer, perhaps they will begin to look past the differences and work towards cooperation.

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