World Cup kicks off, it’s time to tackle racism
June 13, 2014
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2014 June 11 - 17 [ARTS AND SPORTS]
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The 2014 FIFA World Cup has kicked off. Brazil hosts the quadrennial football competition for the second time since 1950.
Recently, some regrettable events took place which went against the spirit of sports. In Europe, during a football match, a man threw a banana at a black player to insult him. At a stadium in Japan, a supporters’ group raised a banner reading, “Japanese Only”.
Sports provide people around the world with occasions to enjoy themselves together regardless of their races and nationalities. That is why sporting activities have developed as a culture which fascinates a wide range of people. Athletes have a responsibility to work to eliminate racism and xenophobia.
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is significant that the FIFA has taken a firm stance against racial discrimination under the slogan, “Say no to racism”, since the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Brazil has opened its door to black football players since the early 20th century. Its national team has been one of the strongest in the world and won five World Cup trophies. We hope that every team will show good sportsmanship and that this competition will contribute to world peace and mutual understanding among countries.
Demonstrations and strikes are taking place all around Brazil. The protesters are severely criticizing the government for spending excessively on venues and for cutting budgets for education and medical services. The need for the host country is to make the sport event friendly to the general public. This will also be the case in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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