The “intangible profits” such as national unity and pride that can be gained from hosting the World Cup must not be underestimated, despite the figures pointing to the event delivering heavy economic loss.
The “intangible profits” such as national unity and pride that can be gained from hosting the World Cup must not be underestimated, despite the figures pointing to the event delivering heavy economic loss.
These were the sentiments expressed by football author and associate Professor of History at Michigan State University, Peter Alegi at the seminar “African Soccerscapes: How a Continent Changed the World’s
Game”, on Monday.
Hosted by the Rhodes Faculty of Humanities and the Harold Wolpe Memorial Trust East Cape Consortium, Alegi was introduced by chairperson Ashwin Desai as an analyst who has true love for the game, and sought to explain the history and possible trajectory of football on the continent.
Alegi, author of Laduma!: Soccer, Politics and Society in South Africa, spoke to the hosting of the World Cup and the history of football in Africa, focussing on issues of race, nationhood and pan- Africanism.
He explained that the game has changed dramatically on the continent since it was first introduced to (and in some cases imposed upon) colonial Africa, and has been used to promote social solidarity and national unity with varying results.
Alegi also highlighted the need for South Africans to take steps in ensuring that football becomes a truly national sport. In doing this, “equitable access to the professional game” must be fought for and investments in the sport at grassroots level need to be made.
Along with this, the “cultural dimension” of football must be developed if ideals of national unity are to take root in the country after the World Cup is over.
Football, as Alegi pointed out, has almost limitless potential in changing the landscape of the world around us. “It surprises us constantly,” he says.
