[SOC] Soccer World Cup - The other Final

[soc@mailman.qth.net]

Bonjour � tous.

You know how much I care abt sport ... but I hope you have appreciated the 
efforts I have made in the last few weeks ;o))
I know that there will be some important Soccer game in the coming days.
But I have just found an even more important one and I am sure you are not 
aware of it !! Shame on you !!

The game I am talking about will be btwn VP2M (Montserrat) and A5 (Bhutan).

Pse check : http://www.theotherfinal.com

Here is part of the Press Release : 

<<

The Other Final 2002
Bhutan versus Montserrat � a football match between the bottom ranked
teams of the FIFA world rankings

June 30th. The biggest sports event in the world takes place: the
football World Cup Final. Meanwhile, in another part of Asia, another
football match will be played; �The Other Final�. A smaller game, but
of no less importance to the competitors. The game will take place in
the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan.
The Other Final sees the bottom two teams (Bhutan and Montserrat �
nos 202 and 203 respectively on the FIFA world rankings) face each
other in international competition. Bhutan is a remote Himalayan
kingdom with the most mountainous terrain in the world. Montserrat is
a small Caribbean island with seven active volcanoes. Both countries
are enthusiastic about increasing their level of football, but face
more challenges than most.
Shortly after joining FIFA in 1996, Montserrat had a massive volcanic
eruption, which rendered more than half of the country uninhabitable,
and forced many to leave the country. The only pitch capable of
hosting international games was covered in volcanic ash, and
abandoned.
Bhutan became a FIFA member in 2000, and since then has played only a
few international games. It has virtually no flat terrain on which to
form pitches, which makes development of the sport difficult.
(..)
Mr Khare B Basnet, General Secretary of the Bhutan Football
Federation commented: "The visit of Montserrat will promote
friendship and interaction between the two countries [Bhutan and
Montserrat]. In this regard, all of us in Bhutan are looking forward
to receiving the Montserrat football team in our country."
Ms Carole Milne, Logistic Manager of the Montserrat Football
Association adds "The Montserrat Football Association is really
excited about the match with Bhutan, and the opportunity for both
countries to meet each other. There are many differences, but alsomany 
similarities between Montserrat and Bhutan. We are looking
forward to exploring these, and experiencing a culture rich in
history and tradition. At some time in the near future Montserrat
would like to return the honour, and invite Bhutan to visit and play
football on the 'Emerald Isle'."
Matthijs De Jongh of KesselsKramer, the initiator of the project said
"Besides the match itself, it will be a meeting of two beautiful and
respectful cultures. It is not about who wins or loses, but about the
celebration of two countries which despite obstacles, share a love
for the game."
Roberto Baggio, the Italian international, and Brescia football star
also commented: �The Other Final shows the real spirit of football,
played in a clear and passionate way. It's an example that the
football world should follow, a stimulus for the more famous final of
the World Cup; the discovery of pure amusement and love for this
sport� In a time where it's all about commercialism, here is an
almost naive project that puts the love for the game first and
nothing else.�

Mountains and volcanoes

Bhutan, the country hosting the event, is one of the most
ecologically pristine areas of the world, and the most unspoilt part
of the Himalayas. It remained in quiet isolation from the rest of the
world for centuries and cautiously opened its doors forty years ago.
The independent community of approximately 600,000 people is
predominantly Buddhist. The current King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck has
developed an interesting and attractive policy: Gross National
Happiness is more important than Gross National Product. This vision
combines a steady economic development with respect for nature,
culture, values and history. Interesting fact: Bhutan has more
Buddhist monks than militaries and some of these monks love to play
football as well. Most popular sport in Bhutan: archery.

Montserrat, the �jewel� of the Caribbean Sea, is often thought the
most beautiful island in the whole of the Caribbean. It was
�discovered� by Columbus in 1493. The isolated island inhabited by
Carib Indians grew to a population of 10,000 people, including 9,000
slaves. It changed into a dependent (Christian) territory of the UK,
and unsuccessfully tried to become independent again recently. After
volcano eruptions in 1996 more than half of the island had to be
evacuated. Montserrat has approximately 4,000 inhabitants now. The
most popular sport in Montserrat: cricket.

>>

So ... Archery vs. cricket ... who will be the winner ?!

Bien � vous.

Claude, F5PBL

http://www.qsl.net/f5pbl
http://www.qsl.net/soc

DIG #4451 - FISTS #7722 - SOC #503 - 10-X #71724