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| Photo courtesy of Nazionale di Calcio Regno Due Sicilie NF |
As the world gears up for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa (June 11, 2010) another international football tournament, Viva World Cup, is already underway. Similar to the World Cup, the VWC looks to promote international football with teams representing nations unaffiliated with FIFA. According to organizers, “It’s about allowing peoples to exist through sport.” Clearly the event is not as prestigious or as star studded as the world's premier competition; however, it's definitely growing in popularity and stature.
Launched in 2003 by the New Federation Board, an umbrella organization representing nations not recognized by FIFA, the inaugural tournament was held in Occitania in 2006, which saw the Sámi from Sweden lift the first trophy. Sápmi hosted in 2008 and Northern Italy in 2009 with Padania winning both competitions convincingly. Kurdistan are favorites to host the next installment in 2012.
Of course the "friendly competition" is not without its controversies. In 2005 the event was cancelled when Turkish occupied northern Cyprus hypocritically refused to allow breakaway hopefuls Kurdistan to participate. Also, NFB officials recently forced Padanian supporters to remove nationalistic flags and banners during a match, which seams to belie the nationalistic spirit of the tournament. Even the decision to name the championship trophy after South African terrorist, Nelson Mandela, must be questioned.
This year’s event is on the beautiful European island of Gozo, south of Sicily in the Maltese archipelago. Six teams representing nations not yet recognized—Gozo (Malta), Kurdistan (Iraq), Occitania (France), Provence (France), Padania (Italy) and The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Italy)—are vying for the championship.
As of this writing, The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies has qualified to face their Padanian rivals in the semi-finals on Friday, June 4th. The Southern Italian newcomers will have to overcome their northern nemesis to reach the final. This will be no easy task, the Padanians are two-time defending champions and rightly considered the tournament favorites. Frankly, as far as I'm concerned, the highly anticipated match against Padania is more important than winning the final itself. A victory against the northern powerhouse will go a long way in publicizing our peoples' cause (and, of course, give us important bragging rights). No matter what anybody else says, this is our true championship match. Besides, who really wants a trophy named after Nelson Mandela?
The final game will be held on June 5th, 2010.
Forza Due Sicilie!
Avanti Sud!
By New York Scugnizzo
