Passing By
For a Soccer Lover, It’s Heaven
By Alejandro Frischeisen, for the Chronicle
 | | (Photo/Enrique Frischeisen) |
As the whole world watched the final match on 30 June of the one-month-long 2002 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, held for the first time in Asia, Brazil, for the fifth time in the Cup’s history, came out victorious, beating Germany 2-0.
I started playing soccer as a toddler, and watching and playing the game was my favourite activity then, and continues to be now. So when I was asked to attend on 23 April a reception offered by the Permanent Missions of Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to kick off the World Cup, I was ecstatic.
The World Cup is the most highly-regarded and esteemed event by soccer-playing nations all over the world. Held every four years, Japan and the Republic of Korea this year received the honour that comes with hosting the World Cup. This was the first time in FIFA history that two nations co-hosted the World Cup. In addition to this significant fact, it was also dedicated to children and to a sport free of tobacco.
At the reception, I was very impressed at how the two Missions handled it in a warm and courteous way. Assorted sushi, dumplings and various other traditional foods were enjoyable. Some of the organizers even dressed in traditional blue Japanese “happi” coats. During the evening, speeches were made by the Presidents of the Japanese and Korean Societies, the Deputy Sports Commissioner of New York City, and the ROK Ambassador to the United Nations.
Hiroyuki Takenaga of Asahi Shimban International, Inc., whom I had the pleasure to interview, said of the Japanese, “They are excited because soccer is getting popular in Japan. [They are] happy to have it.” The two most popular sports there are baseball and soccer, so it was no surprise when tickets sold out quickly for the World Cup. Mr. Takenaga spoke of the measures taken to ensure a smooth-running world event. New stadiums were built. The major one-the International Stadium Yokohama-seats 70,000. Others include the Nagai Stadium, Kobe Wing Stadium, Saitama Stadium 2002 and Miyagi Stadium.
“The Republic of Korea and Japan are providing the tourists and players with an assortment of hotels, shopping districts, and modes of transportation to make their stay all the better.” He added that they were very proud of the stadiums that were built for that occasion. When I left the reception, I had the feeling that I had been present in some of the stadiums as there were beautiful posters on display, and one could appreciate them even more on the large screens, where some of these amazing stadiums were projected. All in all, Japan and ROK prepared ten venues each for this great event.
When I asked Hiroko, a young Japanese girl helping to set out the tables with all sorts of soccer souvenirs, what she thought about this year’s joint forces by the United Nations Children’s Fund and FIFA to give the “Red Card To Child Labour”, she replied that that was a step in the right direction and that the youth in Japan were “all for it”. In soccer, the red card is given by a referee to a player to eject him from the game. It is with hope that the outcome of this World Cup would be beneficial to all the children in the world. In response to my question about safety with so many tourists, she said it was extremely safe and that Japan had one of the lowest crime rates in the world, adding that the people were very “hospitable”. I, myself, sensed this hospitality whenever I approached someone at the reception tables, where there were all kinds of information about these two exciting countries that had been ready to welcome the “whole world” for a “whole month”, culminating with the final match on 30 June.
Bill Clark, President of the Japanese Society, remarked about how “enthusiasm for the World Cup is growing” in Japan. However, it was not the only country brimming with eager anticipation for the World Cup. In the same way of helping needy children, the New York/New Jersey Metrostars donated 50,000 tickets to disadvantaged kids who wanted to see a soccer game. The 2002 FIFA World Cup represented not only the challenge of one nation’s soccer team versus another, but also the challenge of the world versus child labour.
This event was unique in many ways and as a young soccer player, I hope that this brings the world together, and that together we can fight against terrorism, child labour, AIDS and all the other major problems we face today.
 | (Photo/Enrique Frischeisen) |
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Alejandro Frischeisen is a 15-year-old soccer enthusiast who plays with the following teams: Long Island Select, New York Freedoms, Albertson Red Storm Clash and New Hyde Park Memorial High School Varsity.
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