Curaçaos historic Blue Wave prepares to face the world in debut World Cup
Ever since Curaçao earned their place with a gritty 0-0 tie versus Jamaica last November, the 160,000 people living on this Dutch territory, celebrated for its namesake blue spirit, have been caught up in the thrill of the Blue Wave, the moniker for their national squad.
This success should lift tourism on the tropical haven boasting powdery white shores, which hosted 1.5 million travellers in the prior year.
Tourist arrivals have already climbed by 13 per cent over the opening quarter of the current year.
"Football is placing us on the international stage," Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, once a player himself, shared with AFP, foreseeing a surge in arrivals.
Some distance from the posh waterfront resorts and the Caribbean liners mooring at the capital city of Willemstads dock, a bunch of adolescents chase a football on an earthy field within the modest district of Fuik.
These youths belong to a programme supporting underprivileged teens, established by ex Dutch Curaçaoan coach Remko Bicentini, who competed at pro level in the Netherlands before leading Curaçaos team.
Displayed at the entrance, an inspiring phrase in Papiamento, the blended tongue common across the Dutch Caribbean spots of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, motivates the young to seize control of their paths.
"You are responsible for your future," it declares.
Diasporas vital contribution
"If you visit Curacao on vacation, you see beaches, and everything looks perfect," Bicentini explained. "But there are also areas where poor people live."
"Many families have three, four, five children, but no money. We help them when they don't have enough to eat," he added.
Neveron Alberto, among his eager trainees, yearns for a spot on the senior national roster, yet aspiring locals encounter numerous barriers to earning a call up.
The archipelagos path to the World Cup relies wholly on its community abroad in the Netherlands, conceded Gilbert Martina, chairperson of Curaçaos soccer body.
"All the players on the national team play in foreign leagues," he noted.
The sole squad member native to Curaçao, Tahith Chong, left for the Netherlands aged 13.
Nevertheless, the sport is growing in appeal on an island historically devoted to baseball.
Association head Martina anticipates the global event will expand participation beyond the existing 3,500 to 4,000 locals enlisted in teams.
Possibly the islands most notable figure remains ex Ajax and Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert, offspring of a Surinamese international dad and a mum hailing from Curaçao.
The retired goalscorer conveyed to AFP his joy over Curacaos advancement.
"It's fantastic that the island is in the World Cup," he stated.
"In my day, (football) was not that big on the island, but the players have given Curaçao visibility. It's important for the future, for the next generation," added Kluivert, who guided the Curacaoan outfit from 2015 until 2016.
Germany, brace yourself!
Curaçao finds itself grouped with Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and the quadruple World Cup victors Germany in Group E, among the fiercest draws in the competition.
Ex Argentine standout Claudio Caniggia, who journeyed to Curaçao for a veterans showcase alongside Ronaldinho, Kluivert, Dutch ace Wesley Sneijder, and Italian defender Marco Materazzi, foresaw the tournament sparking drive among the islands youth and sparking fresh talents.
"If they manage to get through the first round, it would be extraordinary," he remarked, pointing out how the tournaments opening rounds often yield unexpected outcomes.
The buoyant mood across the island has energised the authorised supporter outlet, where inhabitants and sightseers vie for Curaçao azure shirts, hats, and shawls.
As 21 year old attendant Rovien Petronilia tallies transactions, he is certain that the modest islanders will shock the soccer luminaries.
"We will beat Germany!" he forecasted.