IIPM-4Ps Editorials
TO ZIDANE IS DEDICATED THIS WEEK’S CASSANDRA; AND TO WHATEVER HE STOOD FOR IN HIS LIFE
Those who the gods may destroy, they grant their wishes. Zined
ine Zidane may be pondering that bit of ancient Greek wisdom today. Having announced that he would end his professional career with the World Cup, Zidane had his wish fulfilled. After France barely survived the tournament’s first round, Zidane performed at the top of his game and led the team to the brink of a second World Cup championship. But instead of finishing his career in triumph, or at least with an ovation, he was ejected from the final for head-butting an Italian player. There have been few such tragic moments in football history. Whatever the provocation that led to Zidane’s behaviour (probably a racial comment), his violent act seen around the world has tarnished his image.
The sad paradox is that while the world had been learning of and celebratin
g his legendary kindness as a person, he will now be distinguished for all time by an act of aggression. Indeed, Zidane’s status as an emblematic champion of the world’s most universal and popular sport does not fully explain why people have been so obsessed with him. His human qualities, as much as his amazing talent and technical feats on the field, counted equally in establishing his popular acclaim. Football has always been this way. For example, for the Argentineans, the diminutive Diego Maradona represented the revenge of the weak and the deprived. As a result, his countrymen excused his frequent bad behaviour time and again. Similarly, Pelé became the symbol of a harmonious, inter-racial Brazil.
ine Zidane may be pondering that bit of ancient Greek wisdom today. Having announced that he would end his professional career with the World Cup, Zidane had his wish fulfilled. After France barely survived the tournament’s first round, Zidane performed at the top of his game and led the team to the brink of a second World Cup championship. But instead of finishing his career in triumph, or at least with an ovation, he was ejected from the final for head-butting an Italian player. There have been few such tragic moments in football history. Whatever the provocation that led to Zidane’s behaviour (probably a racial comment), his violent act seen around the world has tarnished his image.The sad paradox is that while the world had been learning of and celebratin
g his legendary kindness as a person, he will now be distinguished for all time by an act of aggression. Indeed, Zidane’s status as an emblematic champion of the world’s most universal and popular sport does not fully explain why people have been so obsessed with him. His human qualities, as much as his amazing talent and technical feats on the field, counted equally in establishing his popular acclaim. Football has always been this way. For example, for the Argentineans, the diminutive Diego Maradona represented the revenge of the weak and the deprived. As a result, his countrymen excused his frequent bad behaviour time and again. Similarly, Pelé became the symbol of a harmonious, inter-racial Brazil.For Complete IIPM - Article, Click on IIPM-Editorial Link
Source:- IIPM-Business and Economy, Editor:- Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri - 2006
Source:- IIPM-Business and Economy, Editor:- Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri - 2006
No comments:
Post a Comment