Don’t spoil the party for World Cup grand finale

The curtains come down today on the world’s biggest sports extravaganza with the highly anticipated final game between Netherlands and Spain this evening. The event – the first on the African continent – has been spectacular and its success overwhelming to cynics who claimed taking the World Cup to an African country was akin to courting disaster.

Kenya missed out on the greatest sports contest where countries showcased their soccer talent with Harambee Stars having bowed out of the contest in the preliminary stages. One only hopes that sports administrators have learnt their lessons, and that they would put aside their partisan squabbles and work for the good of the game. The Government and private firms need to invest in the game, especially football academies where talent will be identified early and nurtured.

Despite our local challenges, Kenyans have enjoyed watching the matches on TV. There have been moments of celebration, anxiety, and disappointment.

However, it was saddening that some Kenyans lost their lives after disagreements over match outcomes and betting. Soccer is a game of passion and the excitement and disappointments during matches are understandable. Fans should not, however, let their emotions get the better of them.

As the final match is played tonight, we urge Kenyans to enjoy the once-in-four-years engagement and avoid actions that would put themselves or anyone else in danger.