Let the games begin!

Lance Neita, Contributor

I SPENT the last few weeks adjusting my armchair to find the best comfort zone from which to watch the World Cup. The chair has been moved a thousand times, the TV constantly shifted to a better angle and the drinks table carefully positioned for ease of movement from the tip to the lip.

World Cup fever is about to seize Jamaica and the timing is perfect. In this case, it's just what the doctor ordered as we seek relief, though temporary, from the trauma and tension the nation has undergone since Labour Day. There will be little respite for those who have lost loved ones or those who are on the run. The security forces too will remain on their toes, but even they will be tempted to take a quick look at the football action whenever and wherever they may happen to be.

Host nation South Africa is at this moment in a state of ecstasy. A proud President Jacob Zuma has said that the excitement, enthusiasm and joy engulfing the entire nation in recent weeks have not been witnessed since President Mandela was released from prison.

International names

The attention is not only on the football practice fields where teams have already been thrilling crowds with the mere presence of international names. The action is also at the Johannesburg or Tambo airport where thousands of fans have been converging to salute the arrival of football stars, international media, and screen and big music names including Grammy Award winner R. Kelly who flew in on Sunday.

International fans are also crowding the hotels - some arriving with plane tickets but without a clue as to where they will be staying.

Fans across the world are going to be treated to some unique South African football flavours. The Diski Dance, which we have already seen on the screen at the warm-up matches, is a soccer-based move which copies the rhythm of a fast-moving football game.

The television has also introduced us to the vuvuzela, a plastic type trumpet of many colours described as "South Africa's beautiful football noise", but which sounds like a thousand bees as it builds up a frenzy of excitement, especially when the ball is in the goal area.

Watch out too for the 2010 World Cup mascot, the Zakumi, designed in South Africa for the tournament, and described as a fluffy young leopard with, guess what? Green dreadlocks.

So, if you thought Jamaica was going to be excluded from the excitement you are wrong. Indeed, the Reggae Boyz would have been assured of a tumultuous welcome by the home crowds if we had qualified.

Jamaica remembered

South Africans remember well that Jamaica was in the forefront of those who spoke out about the evils of apartheid. Hartley Neita reminded us in one of his Gleaner articles, February 9, 2003, that the 1950's saw the first step by Jamaican into international politics when Norman Manley banned trade with white South Africa.

"Ten years later it was Hugh Shearer's turn when he refused to provide funds to the Jamaica Cricket Board for a visit of South African cricketers to play here. Shearer later led the non-white Commonwealth countries in their demand that Britain impose its authority on the Rhodesian Government that had seceded from British rule and imposed a white-led authority over the black population of that country".

Our sports leaders also played their part: Leila Robinson's fight to get South Africa expelled from world netball and Sandra Kong's withdrawal from the Miss World contest. In addition, Edward Seaga's outspokenness and Michael Manley's assault on the evils of apartheid helped to break the iron grip and domination of colour hatred and disrespect for blacks in that country.

With that kind of fraternal background, South Africa and Jamaica will have a lot more than football to cheer about. Zuma said last weekend that his country "was truly blessed and humbled to host the world for this historical and exrtraordinary event".

From our armchair, we will raise a glass to that sentiment. Bring on the teams, and let the games begin!

Comments may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com or lanceneita@hotmail.com.