Re: Odds and omens point to thrilling final (Posted: 1334 GMT, May 21, 2008)

As someone who admires Manchester United FC (also known as 'the Reds') and on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash I hope that they will win tonight’s Champions League final in Moscow.

As many believe, given the quality in depth available to both teams, that the odds and the omens are for a thrilling final and many will be hoping for a win by the Reds I have suspicions that this may not prove to be the outcome.

I freely admit being a sceptic that many powerful interests have brought to bear own their cynical business considerations above that of sportsmanship, fair competition, and deserved success through the endeavour of teamwork; the inspiration of the occasion; the spirit and passion of the teams, and the will to decide the winners through honest application of talent and skill.

My fear is that those who prefer their success and outcomes guaranteed, and not left to chance or susceptible to failure have already done all to ensure that this final will produce the only result which they want.

I suspect that money, power, influence and more besides will already have been applied to ensure a win for Chelsea FC for many and varied reasons but with the aims of showing the conspicuous control that is in the hands of the few individuals whatever the vast majority of people and the fans might want.

After the result has been decided, the shouting have echoed and died, the headlines plastered on our television screens, in the various media and on the back pages of our newspapers we will get an insight in the possible real reasons – that of enshrining, as if it is justified, of the so called superiority of one small section of the world, people, and dare I say it of certain religious sects who wield or claim to call upon the support of things Godlike or divinity – the very same things we are told are denied to those who are not like us, who do not look like us or who do not share our beliefs.

In essence what will be said overtly or covertly, openly or by innuendo, claim or aside, in jest or to support their point of view is that we who believe ourselves to be right can, will and feel fully justified to order events, even if it is only a football match.

I hope we see the best of the human spirit, passion, endeavour, teamwork, competition, sportsmanship, inspiration and sheer enjoyment of testing oneself against worthy opponents with the proper respect, acknowledgement and ability to face whatever comes with dignity and acceptance of deserved success won, by one team without having to, or needing to detract from the other side.

Sport has the potential to inspire us in our lives – in every way that matters that is the result worthy of this final to be and a great occasion for us to long remember and look back on with pride.

I was disappointed and concerned to listen to A. cooper comments about the west African monkeys, namely from Cameroon and Congo. They depicted Africa as a source of deadly diseases. What irked most was the comment that it is a matter of time before a rain of another kind pours to wipe 'US' meaning humanity, out.
That the continent may seem to be very far from USA, but......

While there is a grain of truth about these animals passing diseases,
for those that live here and witness numerous other diseases killing people around, we know that each region has its share. It is only because of developed and accessible health care that life is a bit prolonged in developed countries as compared to Africa.

These comments were negative and meant to potray the continent as dark and dangerous. Support shed right to other very positive attributes of the continent. We are proud of being Africans even when away.