For Sports Fans Only

Yes, I have much to share about this past week’s leadership conference…  It was awesome!

But, at the moment, I will share just a little of the soccer (“football”) fervor that has surrounded us.

Imagine, it is rare for any African team to make it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.  Ghana did so by defeating the USA team (a bit of a disappointment, but it has been all too easy to recover and to join the excitement of an entire continent rooting for the one African team remaining).

Last night all of Africa is watching this quarterfinal game between Ghana and Uruguay.  Back and forth they go though Ghana seems to be in control.  Nevertheless, a tie sends the game into overtime.  Then with only three seconds of overtime left, Ghana is given the chance to score (and win the game) with a penalty kick right in front of the goal.  The cheering began throughout the hotel and the streets.  “This is it!  This is it!”  This could be the first African team to ever reach the semifinals!  The expectations and hopes were rising like a flood!  Every country in the entire continent is praying for this shot to go in!  But wait!  The shot is illegally blocked by a Uruguay player!  A hand is purposefully used to block the shot!  The Uruguayan player is given a red card!  He cannot play in the next game!  BUT, the score cannot be counted!  The tie stands sending the game into a shootout where Uruguay walks away with the victory.  “It can’t be!”  Africa (or at least the many sports fans) is mourning.

They tell me today that at least four Kenyans (located far from Ghana) have killed themselves in grief.  Ah well, sports fanaticism can be taken too far in any country.

Nevertheless, sports fans anywhere in the world can appreciate the drama… just thought I would share it with you.