IN TEN DAYS the quadrennial world football gala starts in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico. For the twelfth time – a period of almost fifty years – Suriname has won the STVS the broadcasting rights. In order to reach as many people as possible nationally, the national channel involves partner radio and TV stations to broadcast the matches.
STVSdirector Raoul Abisoina was secretive to media workers about payment of the rights. He denied that the government paid half a million US dollars, but declined specifics. And this, while the STVS is a company that is largely maintained with government subsidies (tax money). It was Vice President Gregory Russia who opened up after questions in the National Assembly. This amounts to 450,000 US dollars, half of which the state pays.
Many of those directly involved will undoubtedly cringe in front of the television watching the matches and hope that the national football selection of Suriname will be there in four years’ time.
Each of the 48 participating countries – a record – ‘earns’ a nice amount of money in the form of a guaranteed qualification bonus of ten million US dollars, plus 2.5 million US dollars in preparation costs, for example for travel, hotels and training camps. Countries that have to leave after the group stage will each receive an additional nine million US dollars. The further one goes, the more one ‘earns’.
Unfortunately, Suriname – read the Suriname Football Association – sees all this pass by, because Natio was not able to qualify. Many people directly involved will undoubtedly cringe in front of the television watching the matches and hope that the national football selection of Suriname will be there in four years’ time.
Curaçao – the smallest country to ever participate in a football World Cup – on the other hand, is rubbing its hands. Expectations about the performance of this (is)land are not high, but the mere fact that Curaçao is in the spotlight under the leadership of national coach Dick Advocaat is a win. The island has done a lot to maintain public enthusiasm, also in view of the booming tourism. Curaçao’s participation in the World Cup already appears to have had an impact on this.
The World Cup ends on July 16 and it will then be known which team will take home the prize money (50 million US dollars) and the gold trophy. Favorites are Spain, France, England, Argentina (current title holder) and Brazil. None of the three host countries – United States, Canada, Mexico – are seen as contenders. The Netherlands, which has often been a potential title candidate, is not ranked highly this time. Dutch national coach Ronald Koeman does not seem particularly optimistic either. The road to qualification for the Dutch team was not always easy.
Shortly after the World Cup, preparations begin at both club and country level. Also in Suriname, which has to prepare for Concacaf competitions in the autumn. People are already looking forward to the ‘new’ Natio: will it be a diaspora team again or will the SVB respond to the call – from none other than the president – to put together a team with a worthy place for local players as well. It is also important who will be the new national coach.
