Russia serves appetiser ahead of World Cup
07 July 2017 |
2:20 am
Many people gave up an opportunity to come to Russia for the Confederations Cup this year because they were afraid of getting a hostile reception. The events of last summer when Russian fans clashed with England fans at a game in France...
Many people gave up an opportunity to come to Russia for the Confederations Cup this year because they were afraid of getting a hostile reception. The events of last summer when Russian fans clashed with England fans at a game in France, scared off a lot of potential fans. Add to that talk that street fights have been legalised and made into a sport by a Russian minister, and you’d have seen genuine reasons not to bother.
Yet, the Confederations Cup turned out to be a very successful tournament devoid of violence and racial tensions despite the incident of blackface and bananas at the Sochi carnival two weeks before the tournament. Russian news agency TASS reported that some 628, 304 people attended the three-week event with attendance averaging 39, 296 across 16 matches.
The introduction of Fan IDs by the Russian government was a masterstroke. Despite the low awareness by foreign fans which led to delays and uncertainties at the outset, the new requirement helped to screen off hooligans and troublemakers from the stadiums. It also served as an extra security for ticket holders, breaking the backbone of a resell market and ensuring that only real people were able to buy tickets.
The Fan IDs will be deployed for the 2018 World Cup and would help many ticket buyers avoid long queues at Russian embassies around the world. Once you purchase a match ticket, you can apply for a Fan ID that will be sent to your email after inputting your passport details. It will serve as an automatic entry visa for Russia and can be used to travel 10 days before the tournament begins. On entry, fans will have to register with the government not more than one day after arrival. Fans will be expected to leave not more than 10 days after the competition. There was not enough information this year and it was reported that many Mexican fans packed the Russian embassy with some having to pay bribes to security guards in order to hasten their application. With the Fan IDs, there will be no need to visit the embassy.
Russia has a reputation for being tough and unwelcoming. But many fans who visited Russia this summer met a country that looks eager to welcome the world. Russians would invite you over to their tables if they find you sitting alone in a pub. They love to meet people and make friends.
Chileans and Mexicans were by far the highest number of travelling fans for this tournament and they were loved by locals. In Sochi where I lived, they enjoyed wild support in the stadium and the pubs. Both Mexico and Cameroon were on the lips of fans during their games against eventual champions Germany at the Fisht Stadium. The locals were unrelenting in their support for the underdogs. Russians love David vs Goliath stories.
Despite being a huge country with a lot of passion for sport, they have failed to sparkle in football. Their team crashed out in the group stages this time and would need to work very hard to avoid a repeat in 2018. Progress for the home team always ensures for a brilliant atmosphere during the tournament. This is the least we expect from Russia.
Russia is using sport to modernise and open itself to the world. The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi were the most expensive ever. However, the officially declared $51billion was not spent solely on the games. The bulk of it was spent on modernising Sochi and turning it into a winter and summer destination. I see the World Cup as doing the same for the 11 host cities. Many of them would receive an injection of funds that would rejuvenate their infrastructure – transport, hotels and airports. It would also help build its sport business infrastructure and manpower.
Russia has an opportunity to make itself more accessible to the world. For far too long the story of Russia has been told by Western media with a perspective overshadowed by global politics. Russia can change the narrative with the World Cup and usher in a good time of engaging with the world. Football, the world’s greatest sport, can help many discover a new perspective to a great and proud people.I hope Nigeria qualify for the tournament next year. It is an opportunity that should not be missed.
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