TODAY -
W/Cup: Brazilians party, Somalians brave ban
Source: The Sangai Express / Bradley Brooks (AP)

Rio De Janeiro, June 18 2010: Shirley Cassares, watching Brazil's first World Cup match on a giant video screen set up on Copacabana beach, wobbled through a boozy samba and unveiled the Great Secret to her nation's sporting success.

"It's internal human heat! Other nations, they don't have the internal human heat we get from being with one another," she said, raising her voice above the horns, whistles, music and mayhem created by 10,000 people cheering Brazil as it defeated North Korea 2-1 on Tuesday.

"You see it in our team.

They feed off one another, they need one another, and they play beautifully because of it," said Cassares, 52, pointing to the throng around her.

Actually, Brazilians aren't the only ones feeling the heat.

World Cup fever has gripped the planet, and fans in each nation are celebrating the event in unique ways: Iraqis are once again gathering in groups to watch, relieved that violence has subsided since the last tournament in 2006.Fans in Somalia risk bans by Islamic extremists just for tuning in.

Even North Koreans�normally shut off from the rest of the world�saw their team play, albeit a few hours after the game was over.

Brazil�the global superpower of the Jogo Bonito, or "the beautiful game" as the sport is known around the world�will host the next World Cup, in 2014 .

But the country is focused on winning this year's contest, and Brazilians are filled with anxiety about their team's chances.

Yet they also have the perfect antidote to those worries.

"It's a gigantic party! It's bigger than Carnival! It's football and Carnival combined!" exclaimed 26-year-old Rodrigo Nobre, his Brazil shirt and shorts covered in sand.

"It's a time for coming together, forgetting our worries and cheering on our national team!" With that, he turned back to the video screen on the beach and gave an agonized scream as an early offensive attack by Brazil yielded no goal.

There is no beach party in Somalia.

Islamic fundamentalists who control stretches of the African nation have banned watching the World Cup.

"We don't want our people to be preoccupied with semi-nude, crazy men jumping up and down who are chasing an inflated object," said Sheik Mohamed Osman Arus, head of operations for the Hizbul Islam insurgent group.

"We don't want them to waste their precious time and resources on un-Islamic matches, especially during prayer time," he said.

Hizbul Islam, just like its ally, the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group, has imposed a strict version of Islam in areas under its control in southern and central Somalia.

Arus said that his group, contrary to earlier reports, is not arresting people for watching the World Cup or taking any other action against them beyond chasing them away from TVs.

He said militiamen chased dozens of fans from a video hall in the western town of Afgoye, where men and women mingled Saturday to watch the Argentina-Nigeria match in the first World Cup tournament held on African soil.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




SPORTS - 19, JUN 2010
LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2026 : Timeline
  • Natural Farming through Rice-Water mimosa
  • Demands Justice in May 13 Massacre
  • 'Dipholu' to release in theatres in Oct
  • Importance of road connectivity
  • NEROCA Vs Navy : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Why Manipur's NRC cannot be delayed
  • A teacher by chance, a mentor by choice
  • Study & Career Pathways in South Korea
  • Is it real peace or not ? :: Poem
  • 'Bokshi' trailer spotlights Sikkim's myths
  • When the last-resort antibiotic fails
  • Expectations from the Government
  • 24-hour Gen Strike (Sep 1) : Gallery
  • JNIMS Paper IV : A roadmap for reform
  • An uncle calloused hand carried Manipur boxer
  • Natural Farming: A New Business Frontier
  • What ails the SoO arrangement
  • LGBI Airport Enhances Landing Safety
  • Taking NRC case to Delhi
  • Panthoibi Anoi Khuthek #1 : Gallery
  • Book on the History of Manipur released
  • Insights of Natural Farming in Day Today Life
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • Brutality of wars and conflicts
  • 'Govt Accountable for N Teikhang Killings'
  • 20th Charter Nite Celebrated
  • From Naga MLAs to Amit Shah
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #3 : Gallery
  • Wungshungmi, Kaduangaipouu : Eming
  • Culturals from Manipur at Delhi Fashion Week
  • Leaders versus politicians
  • The Mask !! :: Poem
  • Indonesian - community-led HIV responses
  • Stand to put census on hold
  • The flame of Haipou Jadonang
  • Kang Khichri Chaba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur's Peace Begin With Refusal to Hate
  • The Highway of Hope & the Road of Blood
  • Bleeding Mother :: Poem
  • NEET-UG 2026 Pangal Students of Tripura
  • Meghalaya shines: Delhi Fashion Week 2026
  • 'Tell your folks to be human'
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #8
  • September Calendar for Year 2026 : Tools
  • One Table, Many Tongues
  • Use of Rice Husk on Controlling Insect Pest
  • The First Bus :: Poem
  • Census deferred & NRC begins
  • Flood-Affected Communities in Upper Assam
  • Relevance of NRC, 1951 for immigrants
  • Natural Farming in Ancient Manipur
  • JNIMS Paper III : A case in point
  • National Sports Day 2026 Inaugurated
  • Condemns Killing of 5 Naga Civilians
  • 'Meetei Needs ST protection'
  • Need to go beyond issuing warnings
  • 61st Hunger Marchers' Day #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2026 #4: Gallery
  • Plain Flowerpecker sighted in Kasom Khullen
  • A mother's hope :: Poem
  • Condemns Killing of Naga Civilians
  • 1st day of Northeast India Space Workshop
  • Ticket to Hornbill 2026 Announced
  • Guns, guns everywhere in the hills
  • The King Who Caught a Bird : Konthoupa
  • JNIMS Paper II : The anatomy of a disconnect
  • GI-Tagged Natural Farming Could Turn NE
  • Condoles Passing of Huirem Ongbi Ibeni
  • Tree Plantation Drive 1.7 - Koirengei
  • NE Bands at Soundscapes of India
  • Make the JMG Report Public
  • Growing call to update NRC
  • Meira Rally 'No NRC, No Census' : Gallery
  • Day Dreaming of a Vision for a True Change
  • ChipCraft: RTL, IP Integration Course
  • Before the Census, Count the Future :: Poem
  • Khelo India Samvaad in Senapati
  • Induction Programme for Group-A & B Officers
  • Chumoukedima Councillors joined NPF
  • Questions people should raise
  • FC Reangdai Vs TRAU : Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Fast-Growing Tree Species: Link in Farming
  • Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Awards 2026
  • MTU Disaster Risk Reduction Club
  • Meeting with IDPs
  • Imphal-Guwahati Route continue on 3rd Day
  • Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme Extended
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #2 : Gallery
  • Ghosts of Khadawmi: Numbers, Nationhood
  • Why Healthcare must be governed differently
  • Tree Plantation, "Loushangkhong Ningol Van"
  • Shobha Shukla "Justice unbound" : Book Rvw
  • Makeup meltdown during Monsoon
  • Science for Viksit Bharat at IBSD
  • Unresolved questions continue to hang
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #7
  • Gen Z Rising: Pandora's Box Is Open ?
  • Northeast India Space Workshop 2026
  • Wanglembam Gobin: National Teachers Award
  • Broken heart :: Poem
  • Khemchand's bus & laity
  • Mumbai-Ghy as "Bhupen Hazarika Express"
  • Manipur Expeditionary Force, World War I
  • Waqf Amendment Act: An Analysis
  • 80th Independence Day @ Senapati : Gallery
  • Lanchenba : National record at 52nd Aquatics
  • The petition in Parliamentary democracy
  • Support for Children with Special Needs
  • Cracking down on protesters
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Thangal Tomb : Gallery
  • India-Myanmar territorial exchange
  • The quiet alienation of living in Manipur
  • Babina wins AHPI Leadership Awards 2026
  • Brazil's favelas are reimagining HIV prevention
  • Foreign funds & responsible civil society
  • Dipholu release postponed
  • Taking the NRC demand to Delhi
  • 48-hour General Strike by JFD #1 : Gallery
  • Most neglected root causes of Manipur crisis
  • If the State moves on Agarwood now
  • The genesis of wars and conflicts :: Poem
  • Support to "No NRC, No Census"
  • The gem of transparent public procurement
  • Understanding the angst of the people
  • 35th Manipuri Language Day, 20 August
  • 'Beating of the Retreat' #2 : Gallery
  • Citizens of Manipur can reverse the downslide
  • Condolence Message : Niketu Iralu
  • Delhi Fashion Week 2026 launched
  • Community-based model transforming HIV
  • Eco-Sustainable 'Pine Home' Project
  • Assembly resolution of 2022: Update NRC
  • 77th Indian Republic Day #5 : Gallery
  • Engagement: SCGJWD Logistics & Transworld
  • 'Toy Gun' Featured in at BISFF 2026
  • India shrinking relationship with neighbours
  • A generation that undervalue experiences
  • Visit to displaced Naga families at Makhan
  • 8th Foundation Day of World Meetei Council
  • Rising call for NRC first, census later
  • 80th Independence Day @ 1st MR : Gallery
  • Durand Cup : Touching the hearts
  • 2nd "Fields of Hope" at Bengaluru
  • The torchbearers of Independent Bharat
  • Working Women : Flight, hope & challenges
  • Time to focus on the hills
  • Abok Ki Singju: A Student Film
  • 80th Independence Day at 1st MR Ground
  • 80th Independence Day at Senapati
  • Peace begins with us :: Poem
  • Delhi Fashion Week 2026 Auditions
  • Reliance Foundation's Scholarships open
  • Remembering the martyrs of 1891
  • NEROCA Vs TRAU: Durand Cup #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur: The best place on earth If we change
  • Why Manipur Needs Special Economic Zone
  • 7-Week Free Cancer Screening
  • Safe Release of 3 Thadou Individuals
  • Cambodia's HIV success
  • Normalcy still a far cry away
  • 135th Patriots' Day @ Hicham : Gallery
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Manipur: NRC before it will accept Census
  • India-Myanmar border dispute & land swap
  • 135th Patriots' Day at Arunachal
  • What is ABHA ?
  • How to eliminate the smell from home
  • Call to surrender all illegal arms
  • A Brief History of DM College
  • 2026 MaolKeki Memorial Scholarships
  • MU's intervention in Manipur's crisis
  • Hiroshima and Nagasaki revisited
  • Harshit Dhingaun: "Best Bollywood Host"
  • Organ Donation : The gift of life
  • LGBI Airport Advances Water Sustainability
  • Power supply : The rising need
  • Ibudhou Thangjing Haraoba #2 : Gallery
  • MKF Robert Memorial Internship Award
  • Indigenous Peoples Day @Chingmeirong
  • A bodybuilding saga from Ukhrul
  • World Elephant Day 2026
  • Endorsed Rio's letter to Home Minister
  • YAS Employee Association suspends Strike
  • Call to enlist Meiteis in ST category
  • Raengdai Vs TRAU - Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Youth Advocacy, Civil Society, & Peacebuilding
  • Panthung (The Last Spring Of Love)
  • The Price of Your Vote :: Poem
  • Manipuri custom into a green movement
  • 'Govt Must Pursue Census Deferment'
  • Flawed convention on violence against women
  • Lying in state since June 10
  • Wakol Laoba : A Philosophical Analysis
  • Moirang Phi: Living fabric of Manipuri Culture
  • 15 Reels- Preservation Digitisation in Italy
  • The Clotted Cream of Desire :: Poem
  • 5th Tree Plantation at Porompat
  • Resilience of Hope :: Poem
  • Handloom: Weaving the future of Viksit Bharat
  • Reaching out to Kangpokpi
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #5
  • Lifetime Achievement Award for 4 Scientists
  • 13th CM Kang Tournament : Gallery
  • N Tomchou : Gold @ Asian Weightlifting
  • Shards of Home :: Poem
  • Entrepreneurship Development Program
  • Mohan Bhagwat & Gen Z
  • 77th Indian Republic Day #4 : Gallery
  • The chappals we leave behind
  • Takhellambam Rani: National Handloom Award
  • Col M Ranjit's book: Long journey west
  • FNTA (Frontier Nagaland) deal defies logic
  • 54 months to end AIDS and TB
  • Rs 1 crore flood relief drive in Assam
  • Issues and issues before Imphal
  • Mandengbam Jadumani @ Airport : Gallery
  • A consortium of scientific organizations
  • Extortion the Tyrant, Inflation the Demon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • 16th Foundation Day: Meghalaya Film Maker
  • Monsoon foot care
  • Growing call to weed out illegals
  • Naophangpa & the Boy Who Saved Kangla
  • Tingkuradin : Sacred text of Tingkao Ragwang
  • Nurturing Green Minds Youth & Eco Clubs
  • A tribute to Ruskin Bond
  • Ambedkar in Parliamentary ICU :: Poem
  • Cut to community-led service could spark HIV
  • Flood Relief initiative of Rs 21 Lakh
  • The service in healthcare : The human touch
  • Raengdai Vs Navy Durand Cup : Gallery
  • Policy Shift from Jhum to Sustainable Farming
  • Where the Earth Learns to Be Still :: Poem
  • MAGIZH : A homecoming, a legacy
  • Non-notified load shedding or technical issues
  • Japan can teach India on educational reform
  • Rs 21 crores for Assam flood relief
  • Guns going silent since 1997
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #24
  • Naga Peace Process: Indo-Naga Talk: Timeline
  • Search 25 years of e-pao.net
  • Remembering the Forgotten Army
  • YengjaKhige : Story on friendship released
  • Rani Gaidinliu Girls' Hostel in Pune
  • Exploring The Vanishing Self #4
  • NEROCA Vs TRAU: Durand Cup #1 : Gallery
  • Candle Light Vigil @Kangla : Gallery
  • Zomi Leaders meet CM @Imphal : Gallery
  • Honoring 3 Global Achievers from Manipur
  • NE Book Fair Imphal @Lamphel #1 : Gallery
  • Leinana Yomlibi - A Dynamic Musical Offering
  • Thailand's community-led HIV revolution
  • Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal
  • North East India Fest @ London : Gallery
  • Kang Khichri Chaba #1 : Gallery
  • Products of Artisans from Relief Camps
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE India #23
  • 135th Durand Cup: Manipur's football empire
  • 17th Anniv of Rabina & Sanjit: Gallery
  • Kang Chingba @Kakwa, Singjamei : Gallery
  • Posts @ Life Sciences, Manipur Univ
  • A rainy day @ Ima Keithel : Gallery
  • Ahingee Laan @ JNMDA #3 : Gallery
  • Early History of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad #3
  • The Forgotten Kings : A Hearthside Story
  • A gory slaughter :: Poem
  • Kang Chingba @Thangal Keithel : Gallery
  • Kang Chingba @Govindajee Temple : Gallery
  • 63rd Mr Manipur @ MU #5 : Gallery
  • Seasonal Fishes @Ima Keithel #3: Gallery
  • Solo Dance: Wahengbam Debina #2: Gallery
  • Yumjao Lairembi Haraoba #2 : Gallery
  • 63rd Mr Manipur @ MU #4 : Gallery
  • Day 3 : Yaoshang Sports : Gallery
  • Sillam Sintha Jagoi @ATINGA : Gallery
  • 360° panoramic view of spots in Manipur
  • ANSAM Rally demanding justice : Gallery
  • 25th The Great June Uprising #2 : Gallery
  • Candle Light Vigil @ New Checkon : Gallery
  • Massacres perpetrated by Kukis during British
  • Remains of 6 Naga hostages @JNIMS: Gallery
  • Tronglaobi: 2 children laid to rest : Gallery
  • Final Merit List : Manipur Civil Services 2022
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #3
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #2
  • PUCL Tribunal report: A shadow of partiality #1