Writing Task 2 ( 2nd May 2005 )

Popular events like the football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in easing international tensions and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?


Throughout history ,the spirit of sportsmanship has been the basis of a peaceful competition. Others believe sports to be a futile tool in bringing nations together.Games have played a pivotal role in our lives and in my essay I will try to depict both sides of the debate.

Olympics (G) is one of the most watched international events comprising (of) players ranging from the world community. It showcases humanity as a whole and fosters feelings of love, togetherness and good will. Or rather not,(I can understand what you are trying to say, but how about using....On the contrary,.....) during one of the football events, the English supporters (you mean the English team supporters, or supporters of the English teams) started (the?) riots and fire in the stadium upon seeing their team loosing (not only a tired cliche, but rather xenophobic). Recently, in another match to promote peace between Indian (India) and Pakistan through cricket (or you can say it this way: Recently, in order to promote peace between India and Pakistan, a cricket match was organised), the Pakistani cricket team’s bus was pelted with stones on the Indian soil, forcing tensions to soar between the two countries. Another example can be cited here, when the government of Pakistan conducted a marathon in Lahore to create public awareness and to indulge the nation in something different (not clear as to what you want to say here?).The result was antagonistic rallies by religious fanatics who went berserk by burning shops and so on to voice ban (voice ban...doesn't sound right....burning shops in order to protest?? sounds better?) over such “ unethical western agenda”.(or propaganda?)

In contrast , let me draw attention to the well known Rocky movie, where a US boxer(Sylvester) competes with a USSR boxer(Rudolph) on the Russian home soil. Despite the fierce animosity between the two countries, the Russian supporters and political leaders cheered and supported Rocky upon his victory.The Russian masses were compelled to think of Rocky as a human , just like themselves.Coming back to cricket, few monthsback (space between words), both the Indian and Pakistani teams visited each others (other's) country and this allowed positive flow of emotions, better understanding of the other side, increase in tourism and a new way to channel patriotism .

In conclusion, I firmly adhere to being a proponent of sport events as a means of bringing out talent, releasing inhibitions and chalking out (WC) differences - all at the same time.

**ready to be postmortemed**:)
You asked for postmortem, u get it! :) I'm sure I might not be 100% correct with my corrections, but if doesn't make any sense, then I'm sure Tony will come to our rescue ;)
Yasmeen.
Yeah, it will just about pass muster. It's valid and pertinent to cite relavent examples from particular sporting occasions. You tarred all English football supporters with the same brush, rather unfairly, in my opinion. I agree with your point of view that sporting events can be cathartic. Thanks, Mubs!