Wavin' Flag

If I could understand Spanish, then it would have been great because of all the songs which I have heard for a football game, the song by K'Naan and David Bisbal is superior to everything. It evokes all the emotions which only WC can give.

The video starts with last years winning moment, but the real images that gives vent to all emotions pent up inside are the yellow, blue, red, white and green painted fans. The big drums which beat to your hearts beat just brings those old matches to life, you see Pele being taken on shoulders of his team mates, wrapped in Brazilian flag after 1970 victory, the image of Maradona, kissing the cup, and the the great man crying after the loss in 1990, the crest fallen Baggio standing with his hands on his hip, the image of Cryuff playing the 1974 final, marshaling his troops without luck, and still trying, the desperation in each moment as the clock ticks away, and the resolute Germans defending, all the memories flood and you are left groping for words. As the song says, see the champions take the field now,you are the fighters, make us proud now.

Each person, irrespective of the nation they support, no matter if their country has qualified a light year back, and still couldn't play because they could play only barefoot, is a winner in this beautiful game. As we lose our inhibitions, celebrations' are around us, lets rejoice in the beautiful game.

1GOAL: Education for all

1 Goal: Education for all

As the WC unfolds in the continent where the humans first walked and civilization started, the same people are now facing a threat to their very life each day. FIFA is championing the cause of education for all in Africa and WC in South Africa is seen as the special purpose vehicle for that. On the eve of Kick off day of WC 2010, FIFA organized a charity concert with some of the biggest names in African and World music taking stage for the cause. There was a good mixture of native and international songs, some of the music were truly great. There was Alicia Keys singing Empire state of mind to the tune of World Cup, and boy it was wonderful. The official song of WC 2010, Waka Waka(its time for Africa) by Shakira was much awaited. Sadly, the live version didn't live up to the magic when the same had football's greatest moments interceded with the visual. Though Shakira is beautiful to watch, football is ethereal. The highlight of the concert was the song by K'naan. What a powerful lyrics, when you hear him sing about how they are cheated by the authorities, the way they are told gang wars are cool and the way their lives are taken away from them for the joy of a few, evokes vivid images. His voice is very smooth, singing as if he is telling you a lullaby only to wake you up from your slumber. The magic of the Waving flag is the nakedness of the song. It doesn't preach, neither does it cry out, it just says the life. I have heard FIFA theme songs over the years from Cup of Life to Waka Waka, but this song is the closest to my heart. There were advertisements in between about the 1GOAL program. This is endorsed by lots of people, people who cannot afford not to- on various counts. I do not know my part in this, but whatever is to be done by me, will be done. I hope everyone sees the advertisement of 1GOAL, not the one with Pele and Zidane, but the one with people of Africa, and decide for yourself.