|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 28 November 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
FIFA World Cup : When football fever reaches a frenzy
As a prelude to the big event, Goleo VI, the official mascot for the 2006 games was unveiled recently by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Leipzig, Germany. Goleo the lion and his companion, Pille the talking football, were introduced to the world at this event. Goleo VI is said to be the first versatile "living" character to be used by FIFA as its official mascot. He can talk, dance, play music and make people laugh. Unlike the former FIFA mascots such as 'World Cup Willie' (England 1966) or 'Tip and Tap' (Germany 1974), Goleo VI and Pille's vibrant personalities are expected to add to their versatility. FIFA places great importance on its official mascot as an image with which fans can identify. FIFA's partner in the production of this year's mascot is the Jim Henson Company, a leading puppet producer. The German capital Berlin will stage the 18th FIFA World Cup Final on July 9, 2006 while the opening match will be held in Munich. The other host cities will be Hamburg, Hannover, Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Koln, Frankfurt, Kaiserslauten, Leipzig, Nurnberg and Stuttgart. Fans will be in their droves as no other sporting event captures the world's imagination like the FIFA World Cup. Ever since the first event in Uruguay in 1930, FIFA's flagship event has grown in popularity and prestige. How did the idea for such an event come about? A group of French football administrators, led by Jules Rimet, are credited with the idea of bringing the world's strongest national football teams together to compete for the title of World Champions in the 1920s. The original gold trophy had Jules Rimet's name and was presented three times in the 1930s, before the Second World War put a 12-year stop to the competition. The FIFA was founded in Paris on May 21, 1904. The foundation act was signed by the football associations of France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The first official international matches took place in Brussels on May 1, 1904 when Belgium faced France. England won the first Olympic Football Tournament in London in 1908, held within the context of the Olympic Games as well as the next tournament in Stockholm, Sweden in 1912. FIFA consisted of European associations until 1909. South Africa joined the organisation in 1909/1910, Argentina and Chile in 1912 and USA in 1913, starting FlFA's international activities. Although the start of the first World War in 1914 created a problem, FIFA did not fade out completely thanks to the efforts of Carl Anton Wilhelm Hirschmann, the Honourary Secretary of the organisation. Under Jules Rimet, FIFA organised its own football tournament for the first time in 1924, which was a great success; 24 national teams entered and Uruguay became the Olympic winners. The next event in Amsterdam in 1928 was also won by Uruguay. FIFA decided to stage its first world championship and Uruguay was chosen as the host country. Most other candidates withdrew in disagreement. The first World Cup was opened at the Centenary Stadium in Uruguay on July 18, 1930. It was a remarkable success, both in a sporting and financial sense and a new era had begun for world football. The World Cup Final was transmitted over radio for the first time at the next championships held in Italy in 1934. The organisation as well as its premier event have never looked back. Football has now taken root as the world's favourite sport. As of mid-2000, FIFA has grown to include 204 member associations, making it one of the biggest and most popular sports federations in the world. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Are you a football fan? Then you must be waiting impatiently for the
2006 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Germany from June 9 to July 9
in 2006.
