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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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4

In Myanmar, Soccer Offers Relief

But is it just an opiate for the masses?

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(Newser) – Myanmar has had something to cheer about lately, the Wall Street Journal reports. In a country where gatherings of more than five people are officially illegal and free speech is nonexistent, the Myanmar National League has been drawing huge crowds of screaming fans. Launched in May, it’s the country’s first pro soccer league, and fans love it. But critics say it’s just a junta ploy to distract the masses.

The league’s executive committee is littered with government officials and people with ties to the military, and the owner of Yangon United is blacklisted in the US. But the pitch has been a mostly politics-free zone. “We know that the army has control,” says one Argentine player. “But we just come here and talk about football.”

In this May 16, 2009 image, Myanmar children walk by police trucks deployed near Thuwunna soccer stadium in western Yangon, where a local soccer tournament was taking place.
In this May 16, 2009 image, Myanmar children walk by police trucks deployed near Thuwunna soccer stadium in western Yangon, where a local soccer tournament was taking place.   (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)
Myanmar's Khin Maung Lwin, right, battles for the ball with Singapore's Mohd Noh Alam Shah during Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, Dec. 5, 2008. Singapore won the match 3-1.
Myanmar's Khin Maung Lwin, right, battles for the ball with Singapore's Mohd Noh Alam Shah during Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup, Dec. 5, 2008. Singapore won the match 3-1.   (AP Photo/Irwin Fedriansyah)
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4 comments
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ultramagnus21
Jun 23, 09 11:38 AM CDT
It's a start. As oppressive as the Burmese military junta is, I think the soccer team will at least raise the general morale of the country. Of course, it could just be a political ploy to gain support, but I think the meaning of soccer transcends political BS. Reply
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kokuaguy
Jun 23, 09 1:20 PM CDT
Where were the Obama hating bunch when the Bush administration gave a pass the the generals in BURMA who were violently oppressing public demonstrations and denying access to international humanitarian aid after their devastating typhoon? Reply
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anchower
Jun 23, 09 5:43 PM CDT
Stop calling it Myanmar. Reply
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kokuaguy
Jun 24, 09 12:31 AM CDT
So these two comments each get a thumbs up and the one I spent time on (making the point anchower made first still has a goose egg? wtf? Oh yeah, I coached AYSO. Reply
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