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Return to old ways
Posted: Thursday October 28, 1999 07:09 PM
Once upon a time not so long ago, you knew where you were when it came to international sporting competition. The England football team, was made up of Englishman; the New Zealand All Blacks were born and raised Kiwis; and whether the Wimbledon winner came directly from the USA, Sweden or Germany, he or she was not "transferred" from Serbia or the Czech Republic. Nowadays, it appears flags of convenience are being flown everywhere. The Rugby World Cup for example is a prime case in point. Among the countries to have taken advantage of the blurring of national boundaries is the host nation, Wales, which features the Australian-born Jason Jones-Hughes in its squad along with New-Zealanders -- Brett Sinkinson and Shane Howarth; Scotland, which boasts five Kiwis and a South African; Ireland, whose skipper -- Dion O'Cuinneagain, is a native South-African and whose star winger, Matt Mostyn, is an Aussie; Australia, which has an Argentine in Patricio Noriega, and a South African in Tiaan Strauss; Japan, which features five New-Zealanders; and the USA, which has so few home-grown Americans in its squad that in the space for birthplace in the media guide, it says "not applicable". The list goes on. Rugby of course is not the only sport where nationality clouds the issue. From the "spot the real Irishman" situation on the Republic's international soccer team, to the numerous African and Caribbean athletes competing for any nation but their own in track and field, the message is becoming increasingly clear, birthright doesn't matter. So what's wrong with that situation? Well if you side with Australian rugby legend, David Campese, the answer is "nothing". The once fiercely patriotic Aussie apparently has no problem with players ditching their heritage if it means getting the chance to compete in the international arena. Campese argued in a recent newspaper column that with countries like Australia and New Zealand having such a surfeit of good rugby players it only makes sense for the remainder to seek out other international avenues, as they can't all play for the Wallabies or All Blacks. While that may be expedient for the individuals however, I feel that allowing such mercenary maneuvering is the beginning of the end for international sport. By giving players a virtual carte blanche to fly the flag of their choice, the authorities are defeating the aim of international sport, i.e. country against country. If national pride is not at stake then what's the point? There is no glory in playing for your nation. Indeed such devaluation can already be seen in soccer, where, despite FIFA legislation, national coaches often face an uphill to secure the services of a player, whose first allegiance is to his club not to his country. So what can be done? Well in my view it's time to go back to the old days, where, except in certain exceptional circumstances, representative sides were truly representative. Because in a world where a passing acquaintance with your great-grandfather's cousin's friends aunt can qualify you for a national team jersey, international competition is becoming diluted in the mix. Terry Baddoo is a co-host of "World Sport," the international sports show that airs live on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN International.
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