Faith Inspiration Chivalry E-Book

Nicholas Ojwang'

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

Football fills the enormous vacuum that organised religion leaves. And so the latter day high priests troop to the modern day temple; the soccer stadium. Lo and behold, the eager congregants are waiting for inspiration and encouragement. Will the priests disappoint?

In this short, compelling book, Nicholas Ojwang paints a picture of how modern soccer stars – and even managers – with all the influence they wield, are confronted by the issues of faith, ethics and honour as they go about their business. In simple yet eloquent style and using real life stories, Ojwang shines the spotlight on the pious soccer star going down on his knees at the centre circle. Woe unto him if his conduct on the pitch is at odds with his behaviour off it!

This brief narrative is sure to enhance debate on the place of faith, values, ethics and on the small matter of fair play in soccer.

Leseprobe

Nicholas Ojwang'

Faith Inspiration Chivalry

Stories from on and off the soccer pitch

This book is dedicated to: Marc Vivien Foe and Cheikh Ishmael Tiote; two football giants who died while playing the game they loved. Their careers though so abruptly and tragically ended, have and will continue to inspire millions of up and coming players in Africa and the world.BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Introduction

That football is the world’s most popular sport is a fact few can argue against. Oakley states in his book “Football Delirium” that in a secular age, football has filled for many that enormous vacuum that has been left by organised religion. John Bale writing in “Temples of the Earthbound Gods” likens the soccer stadium to the church; a place of congregation and worship. According to the authors of “With God on their side: Sport in the service of religion”, Magdalinski and Chandler, modern athletes signal their respect for divine intervention in athletic outcomes by invoking a higher power on the playing field.

Though a contentious matter, society generally expects professional athletes to recognise their obligations as role models for younger players and fans. The reason top athletes get huge endorsements is perhaps less contentious. There are people especially the young and impressionable who will take the cue and buy a certain shampoo or drink just because they use it.

The ultimate goal at the elite level of sports - and football is no exception - is winning. Despite all pretences to fair play, the temptation to cut corners is ever present. Whether it is what Graham Mcfee in “Sport, rules and values” refers to as “legal cheating” or outright illegal activity such as match fixing cheating is part and parcel of the modern game. Getting kids to carry “fair play” banners before every FIFA sanctioned match will not change this reality.