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My Journey with Football Passion

The document recounts the author's journey with football, starting from their childhood fascination during the 2010 World Cup to actively playing and training in school. Despite a decline in interest due to academic pressures, a rekindled passion emerged when reintroduced to the game by friends. The narrative culminates with the emotional experience of watching the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina's victory and Messi's success reignited the author's love for football.

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21 views3 pages

My Journey with Football Passion

The document recounts the author's journey with football, starting from their childhood fascination during the 2010 World Cup to actively playing and training in school. Despite a decline in interest due to academic pressures, a rekindled passion emerged when reintroduced to the game by friends. The narrative culminates with the emotional experience of watching the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina's victory and Messi's success reignited the author's love for football.

Uploaded by

aryalshishir79
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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River Chhusyaki

Dr. Reid Makowsky

English 1302-007

September 11, 2023

FOOTBALL: A GAME TO BE REMEMBERED

Around the year 2010, when I was nine years old, not only my city, but the entire world,

was chanting the World Cup song. At the time, I was unfamiliar with the game. All I knew was

that football is a game in which 11 members of each team strive to kick a ball through the

opposing team's goal post. I also knew it was called football because we kicked the ball around

with our feet. Then, on July 11, it was the final between Spain and the Netherlands; I wasn't

really excited, but Iniesta's (Spanish player) match winning extra-time goal lit a fire in my eyes.

Then my interest began to grow as I began to play football with my cousin in the playground in

front of our house. Since then, every Friday after school, my cousin and I used to play football,

with one of us serving as the goalkeeper and the other as the shooter.

I truly enjoyed the time I spent with my cousin, and as we grew older, we joined our

school's football practice. I attended the training session with several of my classmates and other

students from my school. The most interesting aspect of this training was competing against one

another while selecting our chosen team member. We used to pick two team leaders, sometimes

known as the king and queen, and then other participants would form teams of two and chose

random names so that the leaders could pick the preferred names. I used to play as a sticker or

midfielder, but because I was good in almost any position, I was ok playing wherever I could as
long as I could enjoy the game. My cousin was not as good as me, but he was not that bad. The

most frustrating part of the training was jogging for several minutes without resting as our coach

would come after us and kick us if we fell behind. As the year progressed, I became further

impacted by football, and I grew up idolizing some of the game's greatest players, like Messi,

Ronaldo, and Neymar, among others, but Lionel Messi remained my favorite.

We played some formal matches between schools, and I always performed my best. I

scored two goals in our first game and then more later. I can still remember how excited I was as

we were cheered on by our schoolmates while playing the game. Unfortunately, we did not win

any of the competitions, but my buddies and I had a very good time on the field. However, when

we approached grade 10, the weight and duties of academics prevented us from joining the

training. It was because football as a career was not an option in Nepal, and no parents wanted

their children to be footballers because they thought it was a waste of time, which is quite true in

the context of Nepal. Since then, I stopped playing football even for fun cause grades were more

important.

As technology advanced, I became more interested in computers, mobile phones, and the

internet, and I began playing video games with my friends. My passion for football was not

completely gone at this point, but it was diminishing, and I was more interested in playing

games. One day, instead of looking at the screen for hours, one of my friends asked me and the

others to go out and play football. We all agreed, picked up a ball, and headed into the field.

After only two minutes of play, we were all exhausted. Maybe it was because I hadn't done

sports in a long time, but the enthusiasm was pouring out of me like perspiration. I remembered

how much I loved this sport and how much I enjoyed playing it.
The World Cup 2022 was set to begin a few months later. I was rooting for Argentina the

entire time because my idol was from that country, and my friends and I watched the final in my

house. We were all looking forward to the final match between Argentina and France. Some were

with me in supporting Argentina, while others were with the opposition. Argentina eventually

won the final, and Messi was crowned. My eyes, like billions of others around the world, were

filled with tears of joy and excitement. I then praised God for creating this wonderful sport and

inspiring me to adore football.

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The author stopped playing football as a potential career due to the overwhelming weight and duties of academics. Football was not seen as a viable career option in Nepal; parents generally considered it a waste of time because of a lack of opportunities in sports professions. This perspective illustrates a broader societal attitude in Nepal where academic success is prioritized over sports, reflecting limited professional sports infrastructure and support .

Peers played a significant role in the author's fluctuating interest in football. Initially, his cousin's involvement in playing fostered his early enthusiasm for the sport. Later, the collective excitement over Messi and Argentina during the World Cup reignited his passion. Conversely, during periods when academic duties were prioritized, peers' similar shifts towards technology and gaming influenced his decreased involvement in football .

The author's experiences highlight a significant conflict between academic priorities and sports. As he progressed through school, academic duties overshadowed his sports involvement, reflecting an educational culture where academics are prioritized over athletic pursuits. This is particularly common in regions like Nepal, where sports are not seen as viable career paths, and educational success is deemed more critical, creating a challenging environment for aspiring athletes .

The author's personal experiences with football, from playing with his cousin to school matches, reflect a deep-seated passion that initially grew due to personal enjoyment and idolization of players like Messi. However, as academic pressures increased and football was not seen as a viable career, his interest shifted towards technology and video games. Global events such as the World Cup rekindled his enthusiasm, particularly when Argentina won and Messi's success highlighted the global appeal of football .

The author's journey demonstrates football's universal appeal, transcending cultural and economic barriers. Despite limited professional opportunities in Nepal and societal emphasis on academics, the author was captivated by the sport through global events like the World Cup. This shared global excitement, especially regarding Messi and Argentina's victory, highlights football's power to unify diverse populations in a common passion, regardless of local challenges .

The author's emotional journey with football began with a spark of interest ignited by Iniesta's goal in the 2010 World Cup final. This initial excitement transformed into a passion nurtured by personal play and idolatry of Messi. However, as academics took precedence, this passion waned. The excitement around the 2022 World Cup and Argentina's victory restored these emotions, demonstrating how key events can rekindle fervor and emotional investment in sports over time .

The transition from active football participation to video gaming reflects a broader trend of youth increasingly engaging with technology over physical activities. The author's shift was driven by academic pressures and the allure of gaming and technology as easily accessible forms of entertainment. This change underscores how technological advancements are reshaping recreational habits and priorities among young people, often at the expense of traditional sports .

Watching the World Cup final with friends underscores the social component of sports, where shared experiences create bonds and communal joy or rivalry. The author's account of collective anticipation and emotional responses to the match exemplifies how sports events unite people, fostering social interaction and collective memory. This social aspect is significant because it emphasizes how sports serve as a medium for cultural exchange and community building .

Personal idols like Lionel Messi significantly influenced the author's perception of football. The author's admiration for Messi fostered a deep emotional connection to the sport, culminating in his passionate support during events like the World Cup. This highlights the profound impact role models can have in sports, inspiring personal dedication and influencing young athletes in their athletic and personal development .

The community practices, including structured school training sessions and informal games, allowed the author to develop his understanding and skills in football. The emphasis on teamwork and friendly competition, such as selecting team leaders and forming teams, fostered an environment of fun and growth. The rigorous training, despite being frustrating at times, instilled discipline and perseverance, aiding his development as a player capable of playing various positions .

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