Kids allowed to watch opening game in schools

You can imagine the teacher now on Thursday afternoon at home time.

"Children, tomorrow don't forget to bring your pencilcase, exercise books ... and a 50" plasma television. Off you go now."

The Public Education Secretary (SEP) has caved in and will allow schools in Mexico to show the South Africa v Mexico game this Friday. Kids are also being asked to bring along a television to put in their classroom, because most Mexican classrooms don't have one.

Authorities are smoothing over the decision by asking teachers to include football related material in classes over the coming month, especially in the subject of geography.

The Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City is advising employers to show the game in workplaces, "to evade mass absenteeism."

A recent poll suggest 70 percent of Mexicans will watch the game, which perhaps has an added importance here due to wave after wave of negativity in the international press over the last 18 months. A positive result for Mexico would be a breath of fresh air.


Many offices will be holding special events for teambuilding; bringing in food, betting (quinielas), allowing workers to wear green shirts.

Businesses too are keen to capitalise on the World Cup with a host of offers available.

Burger King will give away a free cheeseburger with every large drink purchased the day after Mexico win a game.

Sam’s Club promises to reimburse the full cost of televisions purchased if Mexico wins five games in the tournament, the equivalent of reaching the semi-final – an unlikely occurrence, most experts agree. And Toyota, perhaps giving a little more hope, will knock one monthly payment off credit purchases of their Camry, RAV4 and Corolla models if Mexico get through the group stages, which is quite possible.

Restaurants and bars in Guadalajara, Chapala and Puerto Vallarta are expecting an increase in sales of between 10 and 15 percent. Over 3,000 in Guadalajara alone have already been granted licenses to open early for the inaugural game.

The biggest teambuilding and money making event of all would be Mexico reaching the quarter finals.