FROM the athletes’ perspective, it is always a privilege to be part of a team and depending on what kind of sport, league, management, and backers, incentives vary. Yes, even lowly barangay athletes get perks from their respective officials and sponsors that’s why youngsters scramble and parents haggle to the point of demanding for their kids to be on the team.
To be selected to play for the national team is the crowning glory for athletes. A select few don’t care about the allowances but the chance to represent the flag and country is already compensation enough. The fame and adulation from fans, especially if the team does well in international competition, is a feeling no money can buy. But some world-class events like the ongoing FIFA World Cup do give out generous amounts of financial incentives to participating teams.
In a Yahoo article by Alex Baxter, he said all 32 teams competing in Russia will be sharing a total of $400 million. Yup, even by just qualifying to the World Cup, FIFA gives the country’s federation $9.5 million, then an additional $8 million for participating in the group stage and another $1.5 million for tournament costs.
Those who did not make it to the Round of 16 didn’t exactly go home empty-handed. There could be some frustrations but their national football federations were richer by $19 million. I long to see the day when our Azkals growl, howl, show their fangs and perhaps bite opponents’ butts in a FIFA World Cup. I hope it will be in my lifetime and probably will find the ways and means to experience the World Cup feel.
The above-stated amount is just the group stage. Moving on to the Round of 16 gets a team $4 million. Surviving the knockout round and onto the quarterfinals gets a team another $4 million. Depending on their performances, amount varies on teams making it to Final Four. The four teams are already assured of at least $22 million.
South Korea and Germany last met in 2002, with the Germans winning. Revenge is sweeter after 16 years. Germany’s 2-0 loss to the equally gone South Korea made them the fourth defending champions to be eliminated in the last five World Cups (France in 2002, Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014) and the guessing game on who will be the next champion had begun. They already had said their goodbyes to the $38-million top prize. Had they retained the title, an additional $9.3 million will be reportedly given. Second place gets $28 million, third place $24 million.
Let’s do some math and just for fun. Say, the Azkals had qualified to the World Cup but failed to advance from the group stage. Excluding the $1.5-million tournament cost, let’s say 30 team members including coaches will divide among themselves $17.5 million. Multiply that to our devalued Philippine peso at P53, an Azkal will gleefully bark until he’s hoarse with almost P31 million in his pocket. Just thinking about the amount makes Federation officials pant and drool. And I am gasping for breath with the ridiculous amount of dead presidents FIFA is giving away.
The 11-pound gold and gem-encrusted World Cup trophy named after Jules Rimet who first organized the World Cup will be hoisted by the winning team at the trophy ceremony but will be taken back by FIFA for safekeeping after the formalities to keep it safe because there were several times the trophies were stolen. The winning team will instead receive a gold-plated replica. Team members will likewise get individual medals.
The ball is round and anything can happen, football no exemption. Will it be Argentina? Spain? Portugal? Will Brazil have the sixth star on their kits? Or will it be England? Reportedly the Englishmen will receive an additional $6 million if they win the Cup. Their first and only title was in 1966 when they hosted the World Cup. No matter, this corner will always be with Brazil./PN
