The Chief Executive of Zimbabwe's Football League Henrietta Rushwaya announced the cancellation of all football [soccer] games during the election time in that country. She announced that football [soccer] can resume on the 4th of April 2008. The exception to the rule was that the game between Zimbabwe and a local team in Mozambique could continue as planned on the 20th of March 2008.When I read that announcement, my heart and soul exploded in anger. While I am aware that Zimbabwe is experiencing an election and tense moments in its history, there was no reason to cancel football [soccer] games.

The idea of boycotts and cancellations are due to the politicians, bureaucrat, or representatives wanting to punish one another in an infantile fashion. The only people penalized are the players and the fans. I am also opposed to the boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics since it would harm footballers and those who support football. It was for the same reason to oppose Gordon Brown's Boycott of the Zimbabwe Cricket Players in Great Britain. The World has experienced boycotts of sports events such as Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 and people have found a way to participate in sports [including football/soccer] as well as purchase paraphernalia from the sport events.

What is needed is more sports and recreation instead of politicians, bureaucrats, or representatives of sports organizations who enjoy making our lives miserable. We need more sports and recreation with no arbitrary boycotts, or cancellations. What has resolved most of the problems in the world and alleviated tensions has been the existence of sports in all of its spheres including football [soccer]. While many may disagree; football or soccer games have been a way to unify families, reconcile old friends, and create new memories. I challenge the people of the world to say: "Long Live Football [or Soccer]" as well as "Don't Mess With Football". I also challenge the people of the world to go out and watch football [soccer] games, and those who play football [soccer] should go ahead and enjoy playing the game with family and friends. The average lifespan of the human being is too short and we should enjoy it with football [soccer]. Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya as well as Mr. Blatter and other authorities of football [soccer] should just leave the sport alone except in cases of violence and hooliganism. I even think that Heaven and Hell must have their football [soccer] games as well, after all the Vatican has their own football [soccer] team.

I want to express my solidarity with the Zimbabwean Football [Soccer] Players as well as others who just want to have fun and make other people have fun with this sacred game called football [soccer].

Learn more about this author, Roberto Alvarez-Galloso.
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