Power and Control

Charles Imevbore

Hi,
I read with a lot of interest your (Vision) comparative analysis regarding sports and... I guess...just politics of globalization.
In my day (I am 42 yrs old) I played a lot of sports, particularly soccer, growing up in Italy. At a point, I played with the allievi della AS Roma before playing semi professional with Anguillara and Lodigiani in the minor leagues. Then, there weren't many black players at that level in Italy (ti parlo degli anni 70) and I was more a naturally talented curiosity than anything else. Racism in Italy was purely out of ignorance. However, when we would play trasferte in say, UK, France or Austria (as I vaguely remember now) where they were more 'exposed' it was really clear where these people stood on the Black issue. But essentially,what I am trying to say is that the gap in "inequality" in sports today has been greatly bridged because the "naturally talented curiosities" whether black, yellow or otherwise, are now commanding incredible $$$ therefore wielding more power.
Power begets confidence (most times arrogance) and so one's ability to overcome a 'perceived' stronger opponent is unleashed because fear and inferiority complexes of latter day seemed to have been conquered. But, why is this cohesion apparent only in sports? This domino effect, unfortunately, does not necessarily translate to common sense...because at the end of the day, the inferiority complex buried so deep inside some individuals sometimes rears its ugly head again and again..i.e. Mike Tyson. How do you effectively manage this new found position of power?
Much of today's competitive sports is all about control. Much like today's globalization. Power becomes an illusion because at the end of a 'very long day' the Big Boys will not relinquish control. The Pirelli advert is so spot on.Indeed, imagine what would become of the Olympics, world cup or world sport in general, if 'naturally talented curiosities' decided not to participate.
Maybe it could even stop a war...or perhaps start one.

Lagos, September 15th 2004


PREVIOUS PAGE