By Arley Gill

ST GEORGE’S,, Grenada, Tuesday June 17, 2014 – As we get ready to enjoy this year’s FIFA World Cup football in Brazil, one cannot help but to notice that the build up to the championships has being marred by controversy.

Protests, demonstrations, fatal incidents on construction sites, late completion of playing facilities and supporting infrastructure – among others – are quick to be highlighted by the western media.

Indeed, the western media – especially the British press – appear to be in glee of all the mishaps in Brazil. “We have world class stadiums, now we need a country to go around them,’’ one of the protest banners read. Powerful statement, isn’t it?

The issue is not about Brazil only; the issue is whether or not developing countries ‎can host these mega-billion world sporting events. The cost to construct and build new sporting facilities and supporting infrastructure, at the expense of providing basic education and health facilities, can be a powder keg for social unrest.

The promised legacy of visitors, foreign investment, economic growth, modern infrastructure and so on, is not only not guaranteed but it also has been proven that it is a farce.

Let us consider Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean. Granted, we already had our cricket stadium. But, what is the lasting legacy of the Cricket World Cup to Grenada? Did we enjoy unprecedented economic growth? Did we enjoy a sustained upsurge in stayover visitor arrivals? Please, what is the tangible economic benefit? Is there any other Caribbean island that enjoyed these legacies that Grenada missed out on?

Let us take Barbados, for example. Kensington Oval, the cradle of West Indies cricket, was modernized – that is for sure. And Barbados hosted the finals.

Seven years later, what is the economic impact on the Barbados economy? Both Grenada and Barbados are embarking on austerity measures today; clearly, not solely because of the expenses from the Cricket World Cup. But can we say that staging the World Cup in any way benefitted our island economies?

There may have been non-economic benefits, for sure. But poor countries like ours could hardly tout these aesthetic achievements when there are so many of our people in need. I listen to some academics at times and I wonder if intellectualising hunger is a moral thing to do.

The fact of the matter is that South Africa spent approximately 3bn pounds on the last FIFA World Cup and recouped only about 323million pounds. 309,000 foreign fans attended the World Cup, compared to predictions of 450,000.

Twenty-two private companies of KPMG (accounting firm) – out of 100 clients – reported a boost, compared to 45 that predicted they will receive some benefit. The benefits of these huge, international games are always overstated and the cost always underestimated.

The developed countries, already equipped with modern stadia and first world infrastructure, simple have to “tap up’’. But for us, in least developed countries, we have to do so much; one wonders whether or not the glamour and pride are really worth it. ‎

Journalist Eduardo Galeano once wrote, “There are visible and invisible dictators. The power structure of world football is monarchical. It’s the most secret kingdom in the world. Protestors aim to drag FIFA from the shadows and into the light. If they are successful, it will leave a legacy that will last longer than the spectacle itself’’.

The great Brazilian footballer and now popular politician said, “We can’t expect anything from FIFA, where we have a blackmailer called Valcke (FIFA General Secretary) and a corrupt thief and son of a bitch called Blatter (FIFA president).

“For my part I always maintain that while Jack Warner may not be perfect it is my opinion that he did not do more wrong things than those who prosecuted him. FIFA is a cabal. FIFA will make the billions from sponsorship, television rights and a percentage of profits from ticket sales and Brazil will be left holding an empty bag with tremendous social problems. President Dilma Rousseff may even lose elections due later this year. The stadium in Manuas is already conceded is a white elephant, for that state does not have a first or second division team and has a weak football culture.

“It must be noted that most of the stadiums that were built in South Africa are now white elephants. I have seen firsthand the condition of the facilities built for the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia and it was not a pretty sight.’’

Now, for merely sporting reasons I can understand why Brazil would want to host the FIFA World Cup. After all, they have given the world some of the most treasured footballing moments and footballers.

Jamaica deserves to host an Olympics, based on their athletic prowess; but, their economy just simply cannot afford it. The world is not even, neither is it fair.

As we witness the games of the soccer World Cup, and we cheer our favourite teams during the competition, let us spare a thought for the poor and dispossessed in Brazil. They may not be enjoying the games as much as we do. After all, they cannot afford the tickets.

The views expressed in this column are solely those of Arley Gill. Arley Gill, a lawyer and magistrate, is a former Grenada minister of culture.

PHOTO: BRAZIL SLUMS (CREDIT: LATINAMERICANSTUDIES.ORG)

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Related story:

Dengue threat dogs the World Cup

From Caribbean360

Dengue Fever Concept as a Medical Disease ArtSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Wednesday June 18, 2014 – Brazil, the 2014 World Cup host country, has reported the most cases of dengue fever in South America over the past 30 years. Four deaths attributable to the disease were reported in January and February alone.

Given these statistics, players and visiting fans could be at risk of contracting the potentially fatal mosquito-transmitted virus.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Tyler Sharp, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) dengue branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico: “It’s difficult for anyone to put any number on the level of risk. The important thing to remember is that all regions of Brazil every day, every week and every year have transmission [of dengue].”

Most dengue virus infections occur in and around homes, Sharp said in an interview with CNN. So while tourists in air-conditioned hotels have a relatively low risk of infection, travellers staying in the homes of relatives and friends are at a higher risk.

An analysis published in Lancet Infectious Diseases last month looked at the climate forecast for dengue fever during the 2014 World Cup. Researchers analysed past behaviour of the virus to determine high-risk areas, which include the cities of Recife, Fortaleza and Natal, where many countries have matches.

Even though three of the tournament cities pose a higher risk, according to the Brazilian Federal Government, the World Cup falls during a time of year that typically sees a 74 percent reduction in dengue fever cases across the country.

“The one thing in our favour is that it is winter in Brazil,” Sharp told CNN.

The risk of infection and outbreak are based on several factors, including the number of mosquitoes (based on climate and presence of standing water needed for breeding) and a susceptible population.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says inadequate sewage disposal and water supply issues in residential areas are part of the reason Brazil has a heightened dengue risk. Unplanned city growth in the country is also increasing the spread of the disease.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and swollen glands. It is potentially fatal because of fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding or organ impairment, CNN reports.

Individuals with diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease or asthma have a higher risk of developing a more severe illness if infected. People who are older or have had previous exposure to one of the four dengue viruses are also more at risk.

The CDC has indicated that Brazil travellers should also protect themselves against hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, malaria, rabies and diarrhoea.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/sports/dengue-threat-dogs-the-world-cup