Futbol

Three weeks ago Spain made history by winning the final at FIFA held in South Africa. This was a true jubilation. Thank you Robin Roberts from GMA for a great kick-off. I remembered how she rejoiced with the people of South Africa and marveled over the vuvuzelas. You know that noisy thing which at times may sound like a vonvon.  The resurrection of futbol in the world.  This is the only sport that when we spectators or viewers say the world gol it is a sensation in itself, an adrenalin rush, yeah.  I wonder how Spain continues to celebrate their victory.  The Blackhawks on the other hand are still in dismay and are enjoying being winners, “what a feeling!”  

This futbol moment reminds me that on Saturday September 29, 2007 I attended this event in honor of our own Emmanuel Sannon also known to us as Manno Sanon.  The immortal and unforgettable Manno Sanon.  He was also known as our National Pride or Pele then, and the Michael Jordan of our time.

This memorable event was sponsored by the following organizations: Hope for Haitian-American Youth & Elderly, Haitian-American Center Association, New Hope Haitian Community Church and Bethel Haitian Church.  Mr. Edgar Papillon was instrumental in making this day a reality. Pastor Franco Valdemar was the MC for the evening.  Finally the moment came when I was introduced to Mr. Sanon.  I had to pinch myself, how real is this moment? I was eight years old again.  I relived the Haitian mania, the gol sound echoed in my mind and the mache presse in the people’s lives or hurrying up to walk to the Stad in order to eyewitness a match de futbol.

 Manno Sanon was precise, humble, a listener, and a man of excellence.  I also found out that he would say “toup pou yo” every time he scored a gol.  For those of us present we were thirsty to see, touch, hug and thanked our hero, our futballer. The youngs Jacques brothers, our new futballers from the Greater Chicago area were present, and were ready to learn his winning techniques.

Mr. Sanon received four awards for his distinguished work on behalf of the Haitian community.  Ballon Manes, Haitian futbol player was proud to meet his colleague.

There was hope in the room that one day we will be saying gol again with vigor, fun and much more.  Most importantly we will train a team to participate at an international level because right now “no futbol, no Haiti,” I say.  The burning question is, how do we bring back futbol to Haiti real soon?

Live from Chicago, I am Nicole Claude now back to Hallan Daphnis in the morning, thank you Hallan.

de

Nicole