9/20/2023 0 Comments Unity engine civil war gameNelson Mandela understood that, just as the sports boycott had helped undermine apartheid, sport could also help heal its deep scars. And, of course, the far-reaching impact of South Africa’s triumph in the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup was recently portrayed in the film Invictus. Her victory did more to bring Australia together and enable it to face the past than any number of government task forces or reports. Or take the 400 metre gold medal race won by the aboriginal athlete Cathy Freeman at the Sydney Olympics. The team which included Sunnis, Shias and Kurds showed their fellow citizens – and the world as a whole – what could be achieved by working with each other. Just think of how the success of the Iraqi national football side in winning the Asia Cup in 2007 sparked scenes of jubilation in every community of that otherwise torn country. We have seen time and again how sport helps overcome the most deep-rooted conflicts and tensions. At a time when war, violence and ethnic and religious tensions continue to obscure our common humanity, the World Cup has the real potential to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes. I am also looking forward to it, because this competition may do more to bring our planet together than any treaty or convention could ever hope for. So am I – and not just because Ghana, my own country, has such a strong side. With less than 50 days to go before the first match kicks off, billions of football fans are looking forward immensely to the tournament. One only has to savour the global excitement in the run-up to this year’s football World Cup to get a feel for its power and transformative potential.
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