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“Go to sleep child, you have school tomorrow.”
“15 more minutes maa, the match is going to end and it is the quarterfinals. I can’t miss it. If I move from my lucky position, Belgium will lose!!”
This is the current story of every household. If not for Belgium, then for the other countries playing the world cup right now. The new virus, the FIFA World Cup, is at its peak and has affected everyone. We would any day give up our sleep to watch the matches late at night! All schedules are varying depending on the matches to be played. Each goal sends our heart soaring while each defeat results in our hearts breaking. Each penalty kick carries the weight of millions of fans’ spirit and each save brings them closer to the dream of seeing their favourite team lift the World Cup.
FIFA has held a cup every 4 years since 1930. Every four years, the atmosphere tingles with excitement and anticipation as each of us sit on the edge of our seats ..waiting to see if our favourite team will win. 32 countries, including the host country, send their best and finest football stars in hopes of winning the cup. This is one of those very few events that keeps our hopes and hearts on the line as the result is unexpected and shocking almost always. This year, the FIFA World Cup is being held in Russia. It started on 14th June and shall end on 15th July 2018.
The best part about the FIFA World Cup or any sport is that it unites people. In a world filled with hypocrites whose thoughts brand people and segregate them into certain sections of society, sports is one of the few factors that still unites us. The love and passion for the game bring together people and makes unbreakable bonds. As a student, football has always meant something special to me. It was the first sport I had ever played and the one that had laid down the basic foundations of my life. It has taught me teamwork, self-confidence, good coordination and discipline. The first ever FIFA World Cup that I had watched was in 2010, it was held in South Africa and the team I was supporting was Argentina as that was where the hype was. I remember cheering on for them and fighting anyone who wasn’t supporting them. The thing that I still haven’t forgotten the friends I made through the tournament. That and Argentina losing the match 4-0, against Germany. The disappointment was real. Still, it was the Argentine team that helped me forge deep bonds of friendship.
This is why sports have always been important to me. It made me who I am today and has often helped me in the toughest times of my life. Its importance has defined what I stand for and abide by. It has pushed me to my limits, never allowed me to give up and lastly, to always push myself to achieve more. One of my favourite athletes and role model, Michael Jordan has said
If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it.
He was one of the greatest basketball players and the role model to millions. During his sophomore year, at 5”11’ he was deemed too short to play. Determined to prove his worth, he played and played and due to his hard work, he became the star in his junior team. There he had a choice to give up or to grind harder. He chose the latter and is one of the greatest players to have ever played basketball.
So back to football, it is closing to the finals. The teams are working harder and fans are all ecstatic. The screens are on and the game faces are ready. The playgrounds are all empty while friends are gathered together to support and cheer for their team. Now that everything is ready, what are you and I doing here?? Let’s go and CHEER!!!!
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