Former FC Groningen director Hans Nijland writes a column for Dagblad van het Noorden once every fortnight. This week it’s about Donar and shooting stars.
Where can you find more inspiration for a column than during a pilgrimage in northern Spain? Together with my wife Marieke I walk from Tui to Santiago de Compostella. 130 kilometers through mountainous area. Especially for her it is a major achievement with two artificial knees and a fixed foot. What perseverance.
While walking, the past sports summer passes in review. I want to zoom in on three great sportswomen, but first Donar. I congratulate all fans on the survival of their club. One small note though. I frown when I read that the main cause of the bankruptcy is the treasurer. The other gentlemen and ladies and the Supervisory Board have not been hiding under a rock, I assume? At the same time, I am convinced that they have done everything for the greater honor and glory of the club. They should soon be able to sit in the stands without hesitation.
Then the sportswomen, starting with Olga Carmona, the scorer of the winning goal for Spain during the World Cup final. Immediately afterwards she learned that her father had died a few days earlier. They had deliberately kept that from her. During the ceremony in Madrid, she later said that the final day was her best and also the worst day of her life. I am an emotional person. Tears burn in my eyes again.
I also enjoyed Sifan Hassan and Femke Bol. As they straightened up after their crashes during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. A deep bow. What I admire a lot is how these ladies present themselves in the media. Countless athletes and administrators are crammed into a straitjacket by press officers, resulting in only clichés and platitudes. If not our shooting stars. They mainly look for themselves.
Isn’t it great that such a Hassan says in touching Dutch that she is not dead, is it? That she’s glad she didn’t fall on her teeth. Will she participate in the next race? ‘Yes, why not, I’m here now anyway’. Speaking of perseverance. Losers have an excuse, winners a plan.