More World Cup reflections

The Jakarta Post editorial regarding the World Cup on July 6, 1994 raised some interesting points.

Asia did do well this time when Saudi Arabia qualified for the second phase. Many have suggested that Asia and Africa should be granted more places in future World Cups at the expense of European and South American sides. Looking at the makeup of the FIFA, this may be justified.

There are 168 members of the FIFA (at last count, but growing) vying for 24 places in the World Cup. This means for every seven members, one place should be allocated. Based on the geographic spread of members, Asia's 36 members should be allocated five places, Africa's 48 should have seven, Europe's 42 only six and South America's 10 only one place.

The remaining five places should go to the 35 members of the Oceania and CONCACAF, which cover Australasia, Central and North America and the Caribbean.

Some people would be happy, but would the viewing public be satisfied? The World Cup is all about seeing the best in the world, not about seeing representatives from all parts of the world.

Some may say then it is not a true World Cup. Anyway, the use of the word "World" has been stretched before in sporting events. One only has to look at the "World Series" in the United States. Only the USA and Canada take part!

On the question in the editorial about why Indonesia does not do well in football, once again, one only has to look at statistics.

Indonesia only has 100,000 registered football players, a ratio of 1 to 1850. Saudi Arabia has 10,000 players in a population of 14 million, a ratio of 1 to 1,400. Other strong teams in Asia like Japan and China have ratios of 1 to 350 and 1 to 500 respectively.

Brazil's ratio is 1 to 270, and Germany and Holland have below 1 in 50. So in order for the level of play to improve in Indonesia, more people need to be encouraged to take up the sport. Logical -- yes, but has anybody seen any moves to make it happen?

PHILIP M. COOPER

Jakarta