Football Played A Significant Role In World History

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

World Cup 2002 Winner Brazil Celebrating at Yokohama Japan (Pics provided by Dr. Lamkang)

Football is today's most popular sport, and the World Cup is the biggest event. There is nothing like football in the world sporting history. FIFA World Cup held every four years since 1930 except during (World War 2, 1942 and 1946); the tournament attracts record television audiences. And the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) soccer's governing body has members countries-almost as many as the United Nations.

When west Germany took the field against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final, more than a billion people turned in to watch the game on TV-three times the audience that watch the 1969 'men landing on the moon'. The 52 games of Italia 1990 also drew more than 2.8 million spectators. Compare to those days we have a record of more than half of our world population is watching the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

The significance of World Cup 2002, in South Korea-Japan:

The FIFA officials keep in mind the interest of two Asian countries, and have their desperation to host the World Cup. FIFA announced that two neighboring countries of Asia should get the opportunities to host the biggest sporting events. Immediately, the result of these two nations (Korea-Japan) hundred years old bitter neighborhood, and the wall of enmity between them starts to crumble down for the love of football. Until then, they had nothing in common due to their past political history. Korea & Japan is Asia's top most developed and advanced into many spheres, including sports especially in football but their relation was bitter and rooted in history.

Many political leaders including the United Nations tried to negotiate their past rivalries but fail, in spite of many dialogues. The world religious leaders tried their best in various form of reconciliation but fail, due to their religious beliefs. There was hatred in their political talks, without much improvement in their bilateral relations even to boost their economic conditions.

But for the first time ever after many decades, these two nations (Korea-Japan) came together first time to the negotiating table. They began to forgive and forget their past history and agreed upon hosting the most coveted World Cup of 2002. And it was one of the most successful World Cup of all time!

Another significant breakthrough of 2002 World Cup: The Irish National Football Team had a bitter rivalry with Germany during the World War-2. Since then, they were never willing to play in so many World Cups. After boycotted for more than 50 years, they decided to put away all their past conflicts. And for the first time since the World War-2, Irish team decided to play against Germany. It was an emotional moment for these countries, to see when both the countries entered the stadium for the first time to play against each other. This step has been a display of "Peace, Friendship and Goodwill" through the Universal Language of Football!

THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE- WORLD CUP 2002

Brazil have already won the FIFA World Cup four (4) times and they want to win the Fifth time in 2002. The team is known for their faith in Jesus; some even called the team as "Jesus Team"– comparatively over eleven (11) effective disciples of Jesus (leaving Judas behind the scene). They are the true Champions not just in football but they set their sights beyond the World Cups so that they will continue to score 'Life's Ultimate Goals!' The key to Brazil's past soccer success is grounded in practice, hard work on the field and an effort to play a highly technical, more involving in the game! The fact is that Brazilians are born to play soccer! The first thing a father gives his son is a soccer ball. It's a lot like America, where people have basketball baskets over every garage door or the likes of Sub-continent Indians for Cricket.

World Cup Winner 2002-Brazil Entire Team -Worshiping Jesus in Middle of Yokohama Japan (Pics provided by Dr. Lamkang)

In Brazil, kids play soccer in beaches, in streets and in any open spaces. If they have the ambition to play more seriously, they go to one of their nearest clubs. Eventually they can be spotted and invited to play in the clubs, and to the National Team. But it's very stressful responsibility to win, because being the best seems to be the only that counts. And the fans see no difference between second and last place in football world competition. On top of that, every player competes in the shadow of Jesus, one of the greatest Champions of all time.

Each of these demands places a lot of pressure on the team. I'm not alone in handling it, because of the decision I made many years ago, said Lucio, '2002 World Cup' winner. And since then, I've learned the most valuable "technical skill" a world-class athlete could have, "The power to handle life's pressures through Jesus Christ". Through my commitment to Christ, I do my best to put the pressure back into the hands of God. And whatever the results on the field or in life, I praise God.

In 2002, Brazil Team squads have seven (7) very committed Christians, willing to glorify Jesus for their victory as champions of the world. While many team members are also Christians but not committed as those. They are known regularly for praying inside the field, and have also been seen displaying shirts with slogans such as 'Jesus Loves you' after scoring a goal, or winning a games on many occasions.

The team prayed, "Lord, make Brazil win the World Cup 2002 – help us win for Jesus in front of the whole world for your glorification." (Do not misinterpret- must win prayer, whatsoever God favor the team for His will) Nobody wants to work on something and put his energy in something that will not last. We want to work, not in vain, but "for the crown that will last forever" .

The final play was between Brazil Vs Germany at Yokohama stadium, one of the biggest stadiums in Japan, where the crowds are fully prepared to witness the world championship match. People across the world are glued and tuned in to entertain through the final match – it was estimated that little more than half of the world population were watching on Live Television screen. Nothing in the world has ever watched on TV screen, not even half of this watch the first men mission to the Moon. Before the match, Brazilian team prayed together in team to prove they are united team in Christ. It's just like the 12 Disciples-Jesus Commissioning them to go and preach the gospel (One of the disciple 'Iscariot Judas' was disqualified to make an equal size of the football team).

The match was well played in front of the cheering crowds- and after the final whistle blows- Brazil defeated Germany. They are not just the world champions but they are also the only team in the world to win the cup five (5) time. There was celebration everywhere; the team's prayer is answered by God. Some of them are on their knees praying and thanking God, others lifting up hands and heads up to heaven to tell Jesus, thank you, while some began to put the gospel jersey, inscribed "Jesus-Loves-You", "Jesus-Died-For-You" and "I-Belong-to-Jesus" in English and other local languages.

Later on Lucio told the German magazine "Neues Leben" (New Life), that his National Team members prayed before that match – "not for victory but rather that our team praises God as is His due". According to Lucio, even if the Brazilians had lost, they would have shown their Jesus-Loves-You shirts. "We should always give Jesus the glory – in good times and bad".

It was a spectacular moment to witness the unity of the team spirit, glorifying the God who makes them win. The entire team members including the managers, coaches, doctors, physicians and all others come in a circle. They joined hands on their knees, lifted up their hands together in one-accord, to worship Jesus with a victory song!

Hundreds and thousands of spectators are watching them live in the stadium in Japan, and half of the world population watches them on live television screen. Many ask the unusual team spirit on their knees right in middle of the stadium (picture provided). What are they doing? Anyone can tell why, even the commentators said, "They are worshipping their God". Who is their God? "Jesus Christ" the Christian God!!! …wow to Jesus - Praise the Lord!

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang's most Motivational and Inspirational story of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Final in US: His name is "TAFFAREL" the goal-keeper of Brazil National Team. Taffarel said, win or lose- "May the glory be to God".

The last act of the 1994 FIFA World Cup that took place in USA was a penalty kick by Baggio of Italy against Taffarel's goal of Brazil. If Taffarel save the penalty, Brazil would win the World Cup final. The whole world watched by holding their breath, most people even prayed for their team they supported. He didn't save the ball, but Brazil won because Baggio shot the penalty over the bar. Then, it soon happened- "Taffarel just knelt and lifted his hands towards the sky to thank His able God the Almighty". He was glorifying Jesus in front of the crowds Jesus felt so compassionate to, and the whole world.

Taffarel, was asked what was in his heart, he said, I prayed to the Almighty God, "Whether I give winning or losing to my team (country), will the glory always be yours 'O' Lord," was my humble prayer. The Lord comforted my heart and I felt so confident and relaxed without any kinds of nervousness. The Lord didn't even allow me to save the ball, kicked by the best player of the world. Baggio lost his confident and doubted if he missed the ball, and he did missed and shot over the bar. "I thanked the Lord and given all winning glory to God"!

We thanked and praise God for the provision of Football- as the greatest tool to change the world, and also to accomplish the Great Commission of our world. …wow to HIM!!!