Fans can celebrate in manner they see fit

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/06/2010 (5954 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first maintains the cultural significance of the horns. Vuvuzelas, as we all know by now, are derived from the southern African Kudu horn, which was originally made from the horn of an antelope and used to call villagers to meetings to announce other traditional occasions. Fair enough.

But the second argument — the one that is gaining traction with each passing day — is that the vuvuzelas are merely a recent marketing gimmick in the run-up to the World Cup. If they are so historically popular, they made a noticeable absence when Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and they’re not nearly so prominent at club soccer matches in South Africa.

Both arguments are fair. In fact, both arguments are right. There’s no controversy between the two. But both are also beside the point.

South Africa was awarded the right to host the World Cup in May 2004. They won that right by putting together a multibillion-dollar bid that beat out rivals Egypt, Libya/Tunisia and Morocco. That bid was financed, in large part, by the South African government — read taxpayers. So as far as I’m concerned, if they’ve paid out the ying-yang to put on the thing, they can play trombones in the stands for all I care. It’s their right.

The point is, South Africans are celebrating the World Cup in the manner they most see fit. Vuvuzelas may not have been entwined in the country’s sporting culture a decade ago, but they are now. And as a people that pipe Blur or Cotton-Eyed Joe into our stadiums for entertainment, are we really in a position to be critical?

Here’s another thought. In four years time, the World Cup finals will be held in Brazil. There won’t be any vuvuzelas there, but there will be half-naked women covered in rhinestone-encrusted outfits dancing around with feathered headdresses and crazy-high stripper heels.

Personally, I’m OK with both of them. And if my head is aching, it’s down to the complaining more than anything else.

Spot-kicks

— Andres Iniesta has been declared fit to play in Spain’s first match against Switzerland today. He injured his right leg in a friendly against Poland last week.

— Unfortunately, the news isn’t quite so good for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The 32-year-old was replaced by Federico Marchetti at halftime during Monday’s 1-1 draw with Paraguay and may not play again in the World Cup.

— North Korean fans with Internet access were able to watch yesterday’s 2-1 loss to Brazil. Just before Friday’s tournament opener between South Africa and Mexico, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union agreed to broadcast the matches live into the reclusive state.

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