By Chief H.I. Omineokuma-Kile (A Referee Instructor)
Sporting activities generally, are avenues of show of skill talent and sometimes prowess. There avenues sports were skill or talent shall enable us forecast or predict results correctly or accurately.
We match skill for skill; talent for talent and can conclude and predict result.
Looking into sporting activities such as athletics, swimming, Tennis (Table or Lawn), etc. One can easily predict contest results. There are yet other sport were the opposition determines participation fee and with predictable result.
Pundits, book-markers or the road-side Gambler have all lent their voices to matches, meets, and championships with so much ease. Once in while we do hear or get to know of upset result. At such occasions, we hear all sorts of comments, e.g. “Form book upset” Dark horse victory” or even “wild cat victory”
These situations are known to the game of football. From its birth, this game had acquired its fame, popularity and global acceptance because MISTAKES WHEN COMMITTED provide not just enjoyment but great entertainment.
Football of today have acquired improved skills in the playing pattern, this reduces some of the elementary mistakes of the past formative decades. The foundation on which the football game was found had not and shall not change.
Take all the different football competitions (1) soccer (The global game), all levels, (2) ThePara– soccer, (3) Soccer for the Blind (4) soccer for the Deaf and Dumb (5) The Mud – soccer.
What is paramount in the minds of participating teams is how to score goals. The basic desire of team officials, fans, supporters and even the partisan and non – partisan supporters is to see goals scored that shall lead to eventual victory.
This is the ultimate aim and IT CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED if mistakes do not occur. Skill or talent alone shall only bring regrets and undue tension. The game itself cannot be enjoyed. The punctuations occasioned by mistakes of the players go on to prop – up the opposition to adjust and counter measure, styles or patterns. Formations introduced.
The Scottish club “Queen Park FC” had revolutionized playing style when new attack formations were introduced through dribbling combinations. It gave birth to “the pass”, the passing of the ball” were born and made mistakes more enjoyable.
Consequently the 1883/1884 playing variations brought stylish mistakes of the mass game quite entertaining. No wonder Aggrey Fin once said. GOALS CANNOT BE SCORED UNLESS OPPONENTS ARE FORCED TO MAKE MISTAKES AND MISTAKES UTILIZED. To be continued next week….
