FIFA ELECTIONS Time For Sepp Blatter To Go?

On June 1st  one month after the world marks Labor day; as Kenya marks 48 years of internal self-rule following her gaining of independence from the United Kingdom; on the day that Arsenal battle Manchester United at the Emirates in one of the game's most passionate rivalries, in Zurich, another contest will be decided.

FIFA Headquarters in Zurich  Image: Hoogen Sport

Incumbent Sepp Blatter for the first time in 12 years has a credible challenge in the head of the Asian Football Confederation, Bin Hammam, for a post that almost became synonymous with the 74 yr old  Swiss; The FIFA presidency. In this match-up, the upcoming FIFA elections are finally generating the ad o that befits the influence of the what could easily be termed to be the world's most powerful autonomous body save for the United Nations.

Being The Godfather of a game popularly thought to have originated in the English midlands thereabouts a century ago, that  today is a global movement  is a momentous issue. Sample this, at the mere threat of a ban from participation in FIFA sanctioned football events, otherwise larger than life Presidents tuck in their tails, tow the line lest they are made to look like mere tribal chiefs.

The appeal of football borders on religion. As it was once said, religion is the opium of the poor; football happens to be the dope of the masses. Every week thousands congregate in stadia across the globe, millions more via live television and a couple more on the Internet just for the fix.

This global popularity of the beautiful game makes that the FIFA presidency surpass simple sports management, touch on the geopolitical and even has a say on how the world revolves and rotates.
It is said that  money makes the world go round. As you already know, what a ready market the football family is. Sponsorship deals, advertising and merchandise make football a multimillion industry.

Thus, a Don Corleone reference of the FIFA presidency serves especially taking note of the numerous occasions  where the workings of FIFA have been too Sicilian. No doubt the appeal of football has much to do with the well oiled structures and pristine organization running from the FIFA congress headed by an elected president right down to the grassroots. In places like Nyamira; places that you and I have never heard of through branch chairmen of affiliate local national football associations of the 120+ countries FIFA member countries.

An impressive reach that FIFA has nonetheless, some say the workings of FIFA are too much of a one man show especially so as over the four term reign of the incumbent. They argue as much as the different confederations are the roots that hold up the tree, it appears that the stem, roots and branches suck the roots and not the reverse where the roots feed the top.

While local affiliates and regional groupings like UEFA  bear the difficult task of  running the game,  bringing the masses to the games and keeping them there; when it comes to the major decisions they are just but lame ducks. Take the case of the football debate that has refused to go away- goal line technology. Going by the tones of the discussions, one may be mistaken to think that were it not for Sepp Blatter, goal line technology would have been a forgone conclusion.

Or the recent proposal by none other than Sepp Blatter to have the 2018 Qatar World Cup in winter to avoid the sweltering heat of summer in the Arabian desert. Lest you forget, loud grantles are still being heard in the football world over the decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Qatar and 2022 edition to Russia. It is such decisions that may have spurred Bin Hammam to suggest a term limit :“I genuinely believe eight years is enough for every president to focus on football....after that, he’s looking after everything else other than football.”

Understandable comments from the man hoping that the democratic fever causing dis-ease in the Middle East  catches on in Zurich as the audit on the impact that spreading the game to Africa in 2010 South Africa will have on the African game turns unhealthy outcomes. While the Brazil 2016 World Cup edition forecast looks gloomy, not forgetting only trace net gains from the 2002 South Korea and Japan edition on the Asian game.

Keen to ride on the disgruntled voices from the smaller footballing nations like the 40 votes rich CONCACAF region, Bin Hammam the head of one of Sepp Blatter's nobler projects- The FIFA GOAL Beaureu project is promising to increase disbursements to member nations to as much as half a million dollars. Peanuts if you ask me considering the colossal funds FIFA has a say on.

Being of this world, FIFA is not immune to some of the evils that embarrassingly still remain a problem in the 21st Century. While the 'say no to racism' ,'fair play' campaigns and the like are pleasing to the ear, they have been noted in some quarters to be largely political slogans. Corruption is still a vermin in FIFA like in any political organization (remember the aftermath of the host awarding process of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup editions). Bin Hammam being the good politician he is, is promising to rid FIFA of corruption.

On this task and the more immediate one that takes place in Zurich on the 1st of June, I wish him luck With the immediate future of the global economy in Asia's hands, a new world will indeed open up if the 46 Asian votes in the FIFA congress manages to push their man through. Some possibility but as they say in Korea, 'You think flowers and the sun don't exist just because you don't see them?'

Li Na, China's Proud Daughter, Asia's Leading Light, A 21st Century Tennis First

If she was a world beating athlete- almost invariably conditioned in the high altitude training camps that dot the western slopes of the Great Rift Valley thereabouts the equator, my current locality-she would have been received by scores of jubilant fans, proud ululating relatives, the odd placed politician keen to enrich their personal brands, a gourd of Mursik and Isikuti dancing troupe.

Li Na Celebrating her win over Venus Williams in  2008 Beijing  Olympics Women's Quarter final. Image : Xinhua/Wang Yuguo via xinhuanet.com

She would be carried shoulder high, hoisted politician style on a top- of-the- range four wheeler, she would occupy herself with waving to fans as the vehicle caravan slowly snakes through city streets on the journey to her rural home

Once the long caravan- replete with Matatus full of singing folks from the village who had made the several hour journey to the airport to welcome home the world beater- nears the precincts of her home town, 'her people' would join the parade and in a slow march of jubilant dance she would be lead to the awaiting feast: A tented affair in an open field complete with a shaded raised dais for the Mheshimiwas-VIPs.

The oxygen thin air of  higher altitudes would be thick with the aroma of Nyama Choma –meat roasted over open fire- courtesy of the scores of slaughtered bulls, sheep and goats. The village feasts and fetes their all achieving daughter. The bigger the feat, the bigger the feast.

Speeches. Tearful parents, proud coaches and once again the rot of a politician ridding on the moment. Bellies full with Pilau- a Swahili coastal spiced rice and meat delicacy- minds planted with dreams and hearts full of joy. A beautiful day. A historic moment shared and witnessed by all.

Highly unlikely though that the feted athlete would be a tennis star in this part of the urban global village . A middle-long distance runner perhaps. Even more unlikely that this jubilant affair- most recently accorded to 2010 IAAF Male Athlete of The Year David Rudisha following his Usain Bolt style world record breaking exploits over 800 meters in 2010- awaits Li Na in far off Wuhan, China.

Yes, China is celebrating. Asia celebrates too. Tennis celebrates even more. In Li Na, a beginning timed to perfection. With the 21st Century still in the bud, it is an exciting time as is the case every other 100 years or so. A period with an 'anything can be achieved' mentality.

A new century, a new way of doing things seems to be the overriding mantra: Just ask Pres. Obama and you will understand why just the other day, on the tails of the state visit by his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Pres. Obama in his State of The Union Address bravely urged America to wake up from the slumber. To out-innovate, out-think and basically outmaneuver the likes of China lest the 21st Century is claimed and she joins the list of Fallen Kings.

In many ways, Li Na's triumph over world number 1 Carolina Wozniacki in the Australian Open women semi-final embodies the bright light that the orient east has been so far this 21st Century. The tournament-burdened by the floods that have wrecked parts of Australia affecting harvests in the worlds largest food exporters-represented some welcome news from down under.

When the man expected to bring that bit of cheer, Raphael Nadal, bowed out at the quarter final stage under the double assault of a tender hamstring and compatriot Roger Ferrer, as the Chinese say it almost got as dark as the bottom of a lamp.

Current tennis world number one, Nadal, having claimed 'The Old World Triple'  in 2010: Italian Open, French Open and Wimbledon was expected to one better than tennis great Bjorn Borg by laying claim to four major tournaments at the same time.

When 28yr old took to the court in Melbourne Australia few expected the moment ahead. Especially with her loss of the first set to a confident Caroline Wozniacki,  who just days earlier had spoke of her fine form, not only warning her rivals but also effectively stating it would take extraordinary effort to beat her. Only the very good had a chance if any.

What chance did Li Na have? The girl who at 9 (one more over the lucky Chinese number) made the switch to tennis from badminton. Her coach at the time advised that her aggression, power, quick reflexes and arm strength would be more lethal in the tennis court. He current coach cum husband, Jiang Shan, snores too much she tells us.

In the high of the proverbial 15 mins of fame, she does that: A dose of humor. A joke that many might find slighting . Yet I am informed, that is the Chinese way. A high A dose of humor to spice life. A  people with a funny bone not troubled at laughing at thy self.

Li Na though  typifying a humorous people embodied sport. Commenting on the ever evolving monster- doping- writer George Will gets to the heart of sports in the following words : “A society’s recreation is charged with moral significance. Sport - and a society that takes it seriously - would be debased if it did not strictly forbid things that blur the distinction between the triumph of character and the triumph of the chemistry”

Li Na's courage, determination and as she offers; a strong mind is the character that George Will so exalts. Li Na  rescued a game that hang on one match point to claim a 3-6 7-5 6-3, victory over a grueling two and a half hours of gripping tennis action in Melbourne. Notwithstanding, the lessons learned over a injury plagued tennis career that begun in 1999, the year Li Na turned pro.

Though she is yet to win the 2011 Australian Open- thanks to the awaiting challenge of Grand Slam final experienced Kim Clijsters- in her triumph, Li Na  became the first Chinese/ Oriental Asia woman to reach the finals of a major tennis tournament. A historic match that the host of Chinese and Asian talent she hopes to inspire to the highest levels of the sport should draw inspiration from.

Li Na : Tennis Career Snapshot

Highest World Ranking:  : SINGLES- No. 7 as at 31st January 2011
                                      : DOUBLES- No 54 as at 28th August 2006

1999: Turned Professional.  


2000: Top player in ITF circuit with 52 wins that year-she currently holds 19 ITF single titles. Li Na capped the success with admission into WTA circuit where Li Na won her first WTA doubles title in June at Tashkent.

2002: April, Dinan, France against  Zuzana Ondraskova Li Na losses in what is to be her her last match before a 25 month hiatus. It's unclear if it the two years were spent studying at university, or was occasioned by unnamed health conceern.

2004: Li Na becomes the first Chinese woman to win a WTA event when she triumphs over Martina Sucha- backed by Chinese support- in the September Guangzhou tier III tournament.

2008: Following a rib injury that kept Li Na of the tennis court for close to six months, Li Na returns to win the January 2008 Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts, making this her second out of four career singles WTA titles.

2009:  US Open quarter finals losing to the World number 1 Serena Williams 6–4, 6–7(1), 2–6. She had bowed out at the same level in the Grand Slam stage  both in 2006 and 2010 at Wimbledon.

Arsenal Catches a Manchester United as Chelsea Goes Down with a Case of Malaria

Fifteen games in and looking at the Barclay's English Premier league Table, you'd have to rub your eyes just to make sure it's not a mirage.

Image: socerlens.com

Nothing peculiar with Manchester United leading the table two points clear of second placed Chelsea.  Or with Arsenal being third only on goal difference, +15 compared to Chelsea +19. Manchester City clinches the final Champions League spot three points behind Arsenal with Tottenham breathing down their necks just a point away goes quite according to script.


The astonishing part is the little mater that the league leading team has drawn half of its games played so far. The second and third placed  teams, Chelsea and Arsenal, have an identical record having lost four games and drawn two in just 15 games. Such statistics bring forth the fact that things are not that ordinary this 2010/2011 Premier League season.

 The English premier league has become somewhat an affair akin to a formula 1 race.

Depending on the track, the conditions, team decisions and luck, any of the drivers at the start of the race can win the race. Similarly, dependent on the venue, manager decisions and luck, any of teams in the top flight English division can win the match.

Looking at it,  I don't think the phrase 'upset' quite applies anymore. Consider this: Is Chelsea's defeat at home to Sunderland an upset? Or are home Arsenal's defeats to West Bromwich  Albion and Newcastle up sets? What of West Bromwich Albion's come back at Old Trafford to earn a draw?

Two of Arsenal's defeats came at home after seemingly having the respective match under control  commanding a two goal advantage at the break. Fist it was the unlikely West Bromwich Albion resurrection then a Garth Bale inspired second half comeback which gave Tottenham their first London derby away win in 13 years.

Both matches ended with a 3-2 Arsenal loss. The manner of these defeats reminds one of Manchester United early season woes when they threw away leads most notably at  Everton away and West Bromwich Albion at home.

Bizarrely, the past few seasons, Arsenal was the team among the top three that drew the most matches- part reason for their continuing seven year wait for Premier League success. Now it appears it's Manchester United's turn to suffer the draws bug.

Chelsea's woes appear to be beyond Didier Drogba's recent bout of malaria which saw a dip in his form if the observations of teammate Malouda are to be believed. If it is, then it must be of the highly virulent complicated type complete with cerebral symptoms; occasioned by the larvae of the dangerous p. falciparum species blocking  low caliber cerebral vessels of the London outfit's decision making organ.

The wisdom behind the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti's assistant is yet to dawn on the rest of us.  Simply put, Ray Wilkins was the 'premiership guy' considering his wealth of experience. Why Roman Abrahamovich chose to relieve him off his services is lost to many.

The disgruntled voices coming from Chelsea Technical Director who has indicated his desire to quit at the end of his contract in the summer is another cause of concern especially in light of the intense competition for talent among European clubs and Leagues.

Competition is the rightful answer to this apparent seismic shift in power among the European football clubs. How else can one explain the changed topography of the English premier league log?

Unlike the US National Football League (NFL) where a non -performance based revenue system has enabled smaller teams be more competitive as they are availed with funds strictly  earmarked  for development of  team quality, the different nature of the European scene sees the top performing teams  retain most generated  revenues, while collectively bargained revenue sources like Tv broadcasting returns are shared in hierarchical fashion.

The amount received by each team depends on the teams final position in the league.

The effect of these two systems has resulted in different scenarios. In The NFL, every team stands a chance of being competitive as the shared revenues enable them attract and retain quality players who might have otherwise been hoarded by the larger teams as sparingly used squad members.

The European leagues skewed distribution of revenues sees the emergence of elite teams, who among themselves dominate the competition year in year out. In England there is the Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool foursome. In Spain,there is the Barcelona- Madrid hegemony while in Italy, the San Siro clubs and AS Roma are the roosters in that fiefdom.

In an effort to compete, clubs in Europe have increasingly injected funds to enable them attract star players who make the difference. For instance, Barcelona in spite of trouble in its books spent 25 Million to acquire Mascherano from Liverpool in the summer. The Catalan club  was ready to spend another reported 35 Million to lure Arsenal's captain Cesc Fabregas, had the London club not fought so bravely.

In another example, Manchester United's star Wayne Rooney was recently subject to speculation to a move to filthy rich neighbors Manchester City.

Moreover, smaller clubs not to be out done, are spending resources which they may not have. A look at lower tier teams shows an increasing ability of the teams to attract top talent.

For instance, one of the scorers in Sunderland's 3-0 win at the Bridge was Ghanaian star and African world cup hero Asamoah Gyan. Peter Odimwinge another experienced Nigerian international was in the squad that tormented Arsenal at the Emirates.

One of the premier league's  all time stars, Robert Pires recently joined Aston Villa on a short deal, the premier league signing of the 2010/2011 season saw Dutch star Van dar Vaart make  his move from Real Madrid to Totenham while decorated William Gallas made the switch from Arsenal to Tottenham.

All this not considering the wads of dollars splashed by the Sheikh at Manchester City.

The monies spent by the lower tier teams has certainly shaken up the competition a bit even though it is still the traditional power teams that  harbor a realistic chance of  winning the premier league.

The danger of  such spending lies in the possibility of business going bad as liabilities outweigh returns, a fact that the G14 is cognizant of in it's proposal on new financial rules.

The proposal by 18 of Europe's most powerful football teams (G14) seeks to bar teams which fail to spend within their earnings from participating in elite European competitions like the Champions League. This G14 proposal aims to somewhat level the ground as teams will be allowed to spend only what they earn.

Till this proposal comes into effect, the roller-coaster league currently on show in England may just be a clone of yet to come times. Damn exciting times indeed!

When Nations Are At War But Shed No Blood: The Stretching Of Truth, Empty Chest Thumping & Machinations In Bidding To Host A FIFA World Cup

Update 03/15/2017: Russia won the 2018 FIFA World Cup bid while Qatar's preparations for the $220Billoin 2020 FIFA world cup are on course despite accusations of human trafficking and inhumane working conditions.