Let's rally round the flag in support of Stars
Exactly 12 days from now, the 2014 edition of the World Cup being hosted by Brazil, the world’s biggest soccer nation, will kick off and, as usual, frantic preparations are going on in the host country, as well as in team camps, towards the event.
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All over the world, nations are rallying support for their teams and their fans will no doubt be in the stands to cheer the teams on when the tournament begins.
Last week, Ghana's Black Stars had their own special farewell with a Presidential dinner and a farewell match, with each of them seeing a huge attendance, both indicating the support that the nation is giving to them as they make their third appearance at the World Cup since their debut at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
While the euphoria is catching on, there is very little around the country to signify the nation's support for the Stars.
Unlike in the 2006 and the 2010 World Cups, the national flag, our symbol of unity and support, is yet to fly on our cars, in our homes and at our offices and the Daily Graphic has been wondering why it is so.
Is it that we are already happy with what we have achieved as far as our World Cup participation is concerned? Has the distance between us and the host country created an apathetic feeling towards the tournament and, to some extend, our team?
Perhaps, everyone was waiting for the signal from the Ministry of Youth and Sports which had often led such campaigns. For all the efforts put in at gatherings to whip up support for the Stars, the minister, who has assumed the role of number one cheerleader, should have whipped up this enthusiasm before flying out to join the Stars.
However, it is not late to make that call and it is in this regard that the Daily Graphic assumes the role of the national cheerleader and calls on every Ghanaian to start flying his or her flag.
The Stars' preparation continues with a warm-up game against The Netherlands in Rotterdam tomorrow and we must begin to show our support by flying our flags.
In spite of all our challenges and differences, seeing our team perform and excel on such a stage is a source of national pride and honour. However, they can only be motivated to give their best when they see and feel the support of the entire nation.
Players normally do their best when soccer fans cheer them on during an entire game. Spectatoring holds the key to thrilling games.
We proved that in 2006 and 2010.
We can do it again and we must start now and not wait till they play their first game. Our support is as equally important as their preparation for the first game.
So let's all fly our flags and rally behind the Stars for a good showing at the World Cup!
