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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
By Brent Latham
Abuja, Nigeria
05 November 2009
Nigeria 2009, FIFA Under-17 World Cup
Not everything at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria has gone according to plan. However, visiting players and coaches unanimously1 agree that Nigerians have received them with open arms.
The Nigerian accommodations and facilities are generally not of the level that FIFA executives2, journalists and traveling international soccer teams from around the world expect. Communications services in the stadiums and hotels have been constantly out of order. The country is large and travel is difficult and time consuming4.
The list of reasons why teams coming from abroad were not thrilled at the prospect5 of several weeks in Nigeria for this year's Under-17 World Cup is long. But, just past the tournament's midpoint, one thing the players and coaches of the visiting teams all agree on is the warmth and hospitality6 with which they have been received by the Nigerian people.
Officials from the team from the United Arab Emirates have been emphatic7 in voicing their concerns - in particular about the facilities in their base city, Kano. The country even threatened to pull out of the tournament, but eventually gave in to FIFA's demands that they attend. But, despite team manager Jamil Bahindi's long list of complaints, he says the team is impressed by the reception given by the people of Kano state. "There is the environment here, as you see outside, the accommodation, the street as you see. The people is very nice here, the people is very nice. We like them and they like us also, so that is why we love this area here, because of the people, nothing more," he said.
The teams have run into various problems. Many of the training fields were never completed, forcing teams to share facilities and practice at uncomfortable hours. Scheduling decisions made well before the tournament have forced some teams to travel long distances and play on short rest.
But, although the logistics of putting together an international soccer tournament may be complicated8, Nigerians seem to be experts at making their guests feel welcome. John Kaputa, coach of the Malawian youth team, says his group felt welcome from the moment they stepped off the plane. "We were warmly welcomed at the airport in Abuja. Everything was proper arranged. Immigration department was ready to help with the visas and the like, and the people of Kano are very friendly. We have good guiders [host guides] who are really taking care of us," he said.
Many players from abroad have had the opportunity to see a part of the world they might never have visited, had it not been for the tournament. And, each player's observations and interactions9 with the local people vary10 greatly, depending on his background.
Italian Marco Fosatti, who plays professionally for internationally renowned11 Inter3 Milan, says he was shocked by some of the things he observed from the window of the team bus on the trips between the hotel and the practice fields.
Fosatti says he had no idea of the level of poverty that existed outside the developed world. He says he has been inspired to undertake some sort of social project with his teammates for the benefit of Nigerians.
Other players had a different perspective12. Boyd Okwuonu is an American of Nigerian descent13. In his first trip to his parents' homeland, he says he is enjoying many aspects of Nigerian culture, and would not mind living in the country. "One of the things I like about this place is that everybody is outside and together, one, everybody is doing stuff14 together. But the thing I do not really like is that everyone is in the darkness all the time," he said.
Perhaps the aspect of Nigerian society most admired by the coaches of the teams in the competition is the universal passion for sport demonstrated15 by Nigerians. Spanish coach Gines Melendez says the crowd support for his team, at stadiums that have routinely16 filled for the evening matches, has been sensational17.
However, not all teams have been as fortunate as Spain, in terms of fan support. American Coach Wilmer Cabrera laments18 that the Nigerians have never gotten behind his team in their four matches, as the Americans took on popular international powers Spain and Italy, and African side, Malawi. "Anywhere we were in this tournament, the fans were supporting the other teams, but that is okay. That is not our problem. They do not play, they did not defend, and they did not stop the chances for us to score," he said.
Despite the lack of support for the American team on the field, the U.S. players were quick to point out that the Nigerians had been very friendly to them, as well. Forward Alex Shinsky says the image the players will take home with them is that of the jubilant fans waving at them as they made their way in and out of stadiums in Kano, Ijebu-Ode, and Kaduna. "They have been very nice and everything has been well organized. It has been nice to see them waving and just being very friendly. They are very friendly to me and it has just been a great experience," he said.
Midweek elimination-round matches have further pared the field at the competition, which began with 24 teams on October 24. The final will be played on November 15 in Abuja.
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1
unanimously
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| ad.一致同意地 | |
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2
executives
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| （公司或机构的）经理( executive的名词复数 )； （统称公司或机构的）行政领导； （政府的）行政部门； [the Executive][美国英语]（美国政府的）行政当局 | |
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3
inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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consuming
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| adj.强烈的；消费的v.消耗(consume的现在分词) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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hospitality
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| n.好客，殷勤；adj.（气候等）宜人，适宜 | |
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emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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8
complicated
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| adj.错综复杂的，麻烦的，结构复杂的 | |
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9
interactions
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| 一起活动( interaction的名词复数 )； 合作； 互相影响； 互动 | |
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10
vary
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| vi.变化，有不同；vt.改变，使不同 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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perspective
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| n.视角，观点，想法 | |
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descent
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| n.下降，下倾，斜坡，坡道，血统，世系 | |
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stuff
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| n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱 | |
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15
demonstrated
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| 举行示威游行（或集会）( demonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )； 示范。展示； 显示； 论证 | |
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16
routinely
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| adv.例行公事地；常规地，惯常地；老一套地 | |
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sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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laments
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| n.悲恸，哀歌，挽歌( lament的名词复数 )v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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