(image copyright New Federation Board)

A small article tucked away in the latest issue of excellent football magazine When Saturday Comes piqued my interest:

“The breakaway republic of Northern Cyprus is set to host the first ever world cup for nations that don’t exist…”

The Viva World Cup is being organized by the New Federation Board, a football body that claims to represent countries not currently recognized by the United Nations or, more importantly, by FIFA. The event is set to take place from November 19-25, 2006, and so far the following non-recognized states/peoples are scheduled to participate:

• Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey)
• Somaliland (a breakaway state in east Africa)
• Kosovo
• Kurdistan
• Chechnya
• the Roma people (usually called Gypsies)
• Tibet

It remains to be seen whether winning this World Cup will raise the profile of the winner enough to get the U.N.’s attention.

More information on the NF Board and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Association.

Cardiff City Earn Promotion to the Championship in 2003

I’ve recently immersed myself in the world of football, or as it’s known here in North America, “soccer”. One of the most fascinating aspects of the sport is the idea that teams in lower leagues can be promoted to higher leagues. Conversely, teams at the higher levels can be demoted (”relegated”) to lower leagues. Generally, the winner of each division is automatically promoted, and two or three other teams fight for places. And the bottom two or three teams in each division slide down to the next division for the next season.

As far as I know, this doesn’t happen in any North American sports. What I like most about it is that it means that no matter how lowly a team, if they put together a great season, or even better, a few great seasons, they can play with the elite teams. And there is also a perverse pleasure in watching a once-great team’s fortunes head south. The best part is that it gives someone like me lots of underdogs to root for in the next campaign, whether it’s the once-proud side now muddling along in a lower division, or the recently-promoted and hungry would-be giant killers looking for vindication. The system adds complex layers of drama to the sport.

To provide a real world example, Sunderland are an English team who have been up and down a few times the past few years. After winning the Championship (formerly the First Division, just below the Premiership), they have earned promotion to the Premier League and will be facing off against the big boys this year. Obviously, they’ll be one of my favourites in the upcoming season.