Does work productivity actually nosedive during this period? Do fans really fake stomach upsets to get a day off? Are you reading this column with bleary eyes because you stayed up to watch Germany play Australia in the wee hours this morning?
Every four years, we get all excited over a tournament that is so rich in history and drama. We forget the problems of the world, the stress at work, and the antics of our politicians.
Even the Greeks will forget about their bankruptcy woes each time their team take to the field. Some of us may even forget our spouses.
Last week, Sin Chew Daily cited a report in Singapore that said the World Cup fever could affect the sex lives of couples. It quoted a urologist in Singapore who said men would secrete more testosterone and adrenaline as the tournament progressed.
The doctor said there was a higher chance of husbands having sex with their wives if the team they support win and after they had had a few rounds of beer.
I am not sure if the medical council would haul the doctor up to back up his comments but we can be sure that this is the season when anything and everything can be linked to the World Cup.
Corporate Malaysia will be no different. CEOs will certainly be talking football before they talk business. For South Africa, hosting the World Cup will provide a massive boost to the economy though much of it will be short-term.
According to one business report, the decision in 2004 to award the World Cup to South Africa sparked the biggest infrastructural investment boom in more than 30 years, though the question needs to be asked as to whether these new stadiums will be put to good use after the tournament ends.
Personally, I believe we should designate certain capital cities as permanent hosts of major events like the World Cup and the Olympics.
There is far too much politicking in choosing the host venue. Even small and developing countries want to play host as they see it as an opportunity to showcase themselves to the world.
They hardly think through the economic and social costs of hosting such an event.
Take the Olympics, for example. Host cities have to spend billions for the privilege of bringing in tens of thousands of guests for just 17 days. Many host cities are still paying off debt taken to finance the games.
Los Angeles, which made a profit of US$200mil, is seen as the notable exception. But that was because LA already had most of the facilities in place and the organising committee head Peter Ueberroth knew how to milk the corporate dollar to fund the games.
But no one really wants to chew on these figures for now. I am not a diehard football fan but for the next month or so, I will certainly be talking more football than politics.
My wife will remind me to use the headphones if I intend to watch the late matches, and she will not appreciate me waking her up just to tell her Brazil had won.
After 24 years of marriage, I have come to terms with the fact that the only time my wife was remotely interested in football was during our courting days. And the Hand of God, to her, is definitely not Maradona.
Mondy Starters - By Soo Ewe Jin
Deputy executive editor Soo Ewe Jin wishes that Brazil would play with real flair and lose rather than play mechanically and win. He finds the 75-page report by Goldman Sachs on The World Cup and Economics 2010 to be quite a fascinating read.
No comments:
Post a Comment