Bi-Honar
04-30-2009, 03:57 AM
Is Santa Clause Coming To Town?!
Afshin Ghotbi, the newly appointed coach of Iran’s national football team - affectionately referred to as Team Melli by Iranian fans - faces a monumental task in qualifying Iran for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa next year. Indeed, the job at hand seems so impossible that only a miracle, similar to those expected from Saint Nicholas around Christmas time, will see Iran through to the world’s biggest and most exclusive party.
Although most Iranians do not believe in Santa Clause, they should not turn to despair just yet. Afshin, the Arabicized form of the Middle-Persian name Pishin, is actually derived from Pisinah. It is the name of a revered and righteous character described in the old Zoroastrian text of Avesta, as an Ashavan - someone who possesses Asha or truth and righteousness. By including his family name, Afshin Ghotbi literally means “the revered character from the pole who possesses truth and righteousness!” He may not be the plump white bearded man one would expect, but one shalt not doubteth the power of a name.
Interestingly enough, the event that set in motion Ghotbi’s appointment as head coach, namely the resignation of former man-in-charge Mohammad Mayeli-Kohan, occurred on April 21st, the first day of the Iranian month of Ordibehesht which also symbolizes Asha! Truth and righteousness alone may not bring smiles to Team Melli fans however, and anything short of a full redemption will leave them sifting through the ashes - as their team currently sits in second last place and five points behind leaders Korea Republic who still have one game in hand.
In an interesting twist of faith, or a serious case of historical Déjà vu for the Agnostics, redemption itself will most likely be delivered by a man named Afshin! In the 8th century, an Iranian General who later became known simply by his title Afshin, marched on to revive Iranian sentiments, battered by humiliating defeats at the hands of Arabs from Saudi Arabia, in the century before him. Ghotbi takes the helm at a time when Iranian sentiments have been battered by yet another humiliating home defeat to Saudi Arabia – this time in a World Cup qualifier a month before him! Indeed, who could be better suited for the battle against a well organized and determined North Korean team, in the intimidating and military-like atmosphere of the Kim II Sung Stadium, than a man named Afshin?
Team Melli fans will be disappointed to know that Santa will not march into Pyongyang on June 6th – exactly 6 months ahead of Saint Nicholas Day – to deliver an early Christmas gift for them. This will not be a white Christmas and there will be no green mistletoes or an army of elves dressed in red to help things go smoothly. There will however be a righteous man from the pole - who once led the army of giants dressed in red - marching onto the green grass of the Kim II Sung stadium, his army dressed in white and his supporters waving flags of green, white and red to commemorate the occasion.
Behrou G.
© April 2009
Afshin Ghotbi, the newly appointed coach of Iran’s national football team - affectionately referred to as Team Melli by Iranian fans - faces a monumental task in qualifying Iran for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa next year. Indeed, the job at hand seems so impossible that only a miracle, similar to those expected from Saint Nicholas around Christmas time, will see Iran through to the world’s biggest and most exclusive party.
Although most Iranians do not believe in Santa Clause, they should not turn to despair just yet. Afshin, the Arabicized form of the Middle-Persian name Pishin, is actually derived from Pisinah. It is the name of a revered and righteous character described in the old Zoroastrian text of Avesta, as an Ashavan - someone who possesses Asha or truth and righteousness. By including his family name, Afshin Ghotbi literally means “the revered character from the pole who possesses truth and righteousness!” He may not be the plump white bearded man one would expect, but one shalt not doubteth the power of a name.
Interestingly enough, the event that set in motion Ghotbi’s appointment as head coach, namely the resignation of former man-in-charge Mohammad Mayeli-Kohan, occurred on April 21st, the first day of the Iranian month of Ordibehesht which also symbolizes Asha! Truth and righteousness alone may not bring smiles to Team Melli fans however, and anything short of a full redemption will leave them sifting through the ashes - as their team currently sits in second last place and five points behind leaders Korea Republic who still have one game in hand.
In an interesting twist of faith, or a serious case of historical Déjà vu for the Agnostics, redemption itself will most likely be delivered by a man named Afshin! In the 8th century, an Iranian General who later became known simply by his title Afshin, marched on to revive Iranian sentiments, battered by humiliating defeats at the hands of Arabs from Saudi Arabia, in the century before him. Ghotbi takes the helm at a time when Iranian sentiments have been battered by yet another humiliating home defeat to Saudi Arabia – this time in a World Cup qualifier a month before him! Indeed, who could be better suited for the battle against a well organized and determined North Korean team, in the intimidating and military-like atmosphere of the Kim II Sung Stadium, than a man named Afshin?
Team Melli fans will be disappointed to know that Santa will not march into Pyongyang on June 6th – exactly 6 months ahead of Saint Nicholas Day – to deliver an early Christmas gift for them. This will not be a white Christmas and there will be no green mistletoes or an army of elves dressed in red to help things go smoothly. There will however be a righteous man from the pole - who once led the army of giants dressed in red - marching onto the green grass of the Kim II Sung stadium, his army dressed in white and his supporters waving flags of green, white and red to commemorate the occasion.
Behrou G.
© April 2009