DOHA: As social media usage has rapidly expanded in recent years, it forms an increasingly colourful addition to the excited chatter around the Al Kass International Cup.
For the young, web-savvy players, platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram present fantastic opportunities to share their experiences in Doha with fans, followers and friends alike.
This year a record level of ‘selfies’ are predicted as more and more participants utilise social media to publicise their footballing feats, perhaps with the long-term aim of building up personal online ‘brands’.
With the tournament just a couple of days in, the photography phenomenon has already been embraced by the AC Milan team who celebrated their 4-3 victory over River Plate with a joyful victory selfie at the side of the pitch
However, while such activity is generally nothing more than harmless fun, some experts are warning of the growing dangers that social media can present to young footballers.
According to the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), many criminals and match-fixers are now utilising sites like Twitter and Instagram to approach and groom young footballers.
In an effort to encourage greater awareness of these risks, Al Kass and the ICSS hosted a joint event yesterday to highlight these hazards to the tournament’s young players.
The lessons form part of a wider legacy initiative by the Al Kass International Organising Committee to ensure that players leave Qatar with more than just a football education.
Among those who addressed yesterday were legendary football coach Bora Milutinovic, Dutch legend Edgar Davids, and ICSS Head of Anti-Corruption & International Development Partnerships, Werner Schuller.
Advising the players as to how they can fulfil their dreams, Davids said: “Each day you need to look at yourself and ask whether you have done everything to succeed. If you can yes, you should have no trouble sleeping. If you say no then you are obviously not making enough of yourself.”
Meanwhile Milutinovic, who has coached five teams at the World Cup during his career, offered his own thoughts: “You have to pay a very high price to succeed in football. I was an average player but I was also known for my positive behaviour and this made me easy to coach and improve. When a player is truly focused he will become an excellent asset.” THE PENINSULA
