Source: mmtimes
Football (or Soccer) is the world's most popular sport. It's played by over 250 million players in over 200 countries and dependencies, and The FIFA World Cup, an international football tournament, is the most watched sports event in the World. But what makes this sport so popular? I hope to answer that question through this article.
I believe that the popularity of football lies in it's simplicity. All you need to play the game is a ball, some space, and players. No need for bats, rackets, sticks, clubs, gloves, nets, hoops, pads, helmets, or anything else. With the ball being the only essential piece of equipment, football can be played almost anywhere - in the park, on the streets, at the beach, or even at home. If goal posts aren't available, they can easily be marked out using chalk, rocks, cones, or even a pair of shoes. Unlike many other sports, football doesn't even require any protective equipment (apart from shin guards which are only really required in organised games). Although specialized football shoes do exist, the game can be played with any form of foot wear or even barefoot. Since almost no equipment is needed, the sport is accessible to people of all castes, classes, tribes, ages, and gender.
The rules of football are probably the simplest among all sports. The principal object of the game is to get the ball in the opposition's net, however no player (with the exception of the goalie within the penalty area) is allowed to touch the ball using his/her hands. For someone who is new to the sport, the rules are easy to understand and he/she will be able to catch on very quickly. There are very few technical terms like the off-side, goal kick, throw in, etc. that can be learnt easily. While it's true that pro footballers put in hours and hours of training to master their skills, the game doesn't require learning any new skills for casual play - anyone can run around and kick a ball. Also, the rules of the game are very adaptable and can be modified depending on the number of participants, size of the playing area, availability of equipment, setting, etc. This has allowed for the development of a variety of ways in which football can be played - like futsal, beach football, etc.
The simplicity of football helps connect people. When the game is played in public spaces, it creates a spontaneous and inviting atmosphere, that encourage people to join in.
In many nations, the beaches, streets, and terraces are always buzzing with young kids (and adults alike) having a kick about. The reason why people play football varies of course - some play for the fun it brings, some to become better footballers and others as a recreational activity - but what matters is that the game brings people with different interests, backgrounds, and ideals, together. The sport has become so Global that nearly every country has it's own professional league. This allows football fans, from every corner of the world, to stroll down to their local football venue and watch their team play every weekend. In fact, Football is played in every continent, except Antarctica, and has even found it's way into tiny remote islands like Tuvalu. Once every four years, eyes from every nation turn to the FIFA World Cup, where 32 of the best footballing countries battle it out to become World Champions. Over 3.572 billion viewers tuned in to watch the 2018 World Cup Final: that's more than half the human population of the Earth. And the reason for all this Worldly love for football lies in the fact that all one needs, to play and fall in love with the game, is simply a ball.
- By Sriram Chidambaram
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