As a writer, I’ve visited a number of primary and secondary schools over the last few weeks to talk about the book, its context and the World Cup. What has heartened me so much, is that each and every school has used the World Cup as an opportunity to give children a cultural and historical taste and experience of all the countries involved. What other event would – or could-have inspired our schools to look outwards into the wider world with such passion? And to give our children an insight into the `lives of others’. Football has done this. It’s a simple game, but utterly universal. Indeed, it is arguably the most universal language we have. You could parachute a kid from Croydon or Burnley down into Mongolia, Upper Volta or Peru, and vice versa. They may not speak the same language, but put them together on a football pitch, and everyone would understand what it is they needed to do. Because the rules are universal. It’s a game that embraces and celebrates every kid around the world. We’re pretty much all desperate to find things in our lives that draw us together. Unite us and seek out things we all have in common. Football does that. Let’s celebrate this World Cup for reminding us that a simple game is always…more than just a game.
Tags: Marvin Close