FOOTBALL IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

  When I was in Pare, I joined Public Speaking Class. That class was difficult for me, but it doesn’t matter. It gave me experience about speaking in front of audiences, absolutely in English. In 4th meeting, I explained about football, my favourite sport. This is my story.

“We need a language to speak with each other. In our world, we have an international language. Our international language is English. Every countries in the world use English, although not as a native language. If we don’t have a language, we cannot communicate to the other people. But, we also have another language which is more effective to connect between people from different countries, different cultures, and different backgrounds. That is called football. FOOTBALL IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. Every people know football. Many people love football and play it because of football can make people happy, whatever the result. And also football can give us spirit to give the best and become a winner.

For example, in 2007, Iraq, a west Asia country, won Asian Nations Cup after beat Saudi Arabia 1-0. That is the first time for Iraq. But, did you know what happened in Iraq? Iraq was invasion by United State of America since 2003. Many buildings are damage and many people dead in there. People thought there is no hope in Iraq. But, Iraq’s National Team answered it with extra spirit. Actually, before they joined the tournament, they were so confuse. There is no training centre in Iraq. They have to go to Jordan to held training in there. That was struggle. And they succeed. They make Iraqi’s people united. They brought peace in Iraq. That is just an example from the other side of football.

Besides happy and spirit, there is an element in football. That is humanity. It is about respect to the other people, especially who need our help. We must care with them. No matter where it is played, football can unlock the best in humanity. It can be an escape from crime and violence, or serve as a unifying force.

For examples (again), did you know Lionel Andres Messi? He won three consecutive times as the best footballer in the world, 2009, 2010, and 2011. He is a genius player, not arrogant, and also rich. Barcelona, his current club, paid big salary for him. He got a lot of money also from many sponsor. But, it is not enough for him. Because he wants to share his money to the other people who need his help. So, he established “Leo Messi Foundation”, a charity which supports access to education and healthcare for children. Why just children? It can remind him about his childhood. When he was child he got hormone abnormalities. That is make him cannot grow up perfectly. But, he not gave up struggle his purpose, become a footballer until Barcelona bought him from Rosario. And now, he gets his purpose. The other example is Didier Drogba, a legend from Cote d’Ivoire. He is famous in his country and many people love him. Same as Messi, he has a foundation called “Didier Drogba Foundation”. Didier Drogba Foundation collects funds from around the world to build an international hospital which devoted to pauper. There is just a little story from footballers who care with the other people.

According to USAID, football is not just a game. Football is like an epic novel, dramatic and unpredictable, also gripping thriller carrying hopes and dreams of individuals and societies. For me, Football is about respect to the other people and also fair play, like the Fair Play Campaign from FIFA, “My Game is Fair Play”. Because fair play is paramount.”