143) 2014 “Federation Internationale de Football Association” (FIFA) World Cup, held at Brazil (Brasil): A Set of four stamps issued by India Post to Commemorate the Tournament/Championship:

143) 2014 “Federation Internationale de Football Association” (FIFA) World Cup, held at Brazil (Brasil):

A Set of four stamps issued by India Post to Commemorate the Tournament/Championship:

Fact File:

The “Federation Internationale de Football Association” (FIFA) has organized the 20^th FIFA World Cup from 12.06.2014 to 13.07.2014.

This month long football contest is an ultimate test of endurance, zeal and a contestant’s mettle and is the most eagerly awaited sporting event  once every four years.

FIFA is the governing body of Football, founded in May 1904 in Paris with seven original members – Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. The association is headquartered in Zurich and is governed by Swiss law.

Today FIFA has 209 member Associations (Remember that the United Nations Organisation has 193 member countries of which all, including India are not active members of FIFA).

The aim of the Association is enshrined in its Statutes and is primarily aimed at endeavouring to have a constant improvement of Football.

FIFA has on its rolls about 310 employees from over 35 nations and is composed of a Congress (which is a legislative body), Executive Committee (which is an Executive body), General Secretariat (which is an Administrative body) and Committees assisting the Executive Committee.

The original concept of bringing the World’s strongest National Football teams together in a tournament to compete for the title of World Champions was mooted by Jules Rimet.

The First FIFA World Cup Competition was held in Uruguay in 1930 and is held once every four years ever since except for the following exceptions:

The World Cup was organized thrice in the 1930s – once each in Uruguay, Italy and France and was not held for 12 years due to World War II It resumed in 1950, when it resumed in Brazil. Since then, the Tournament has been hosted by 15 countries across all the continents.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup being held in Brazil:

The 2014 FIFA World Cup being held in brazil is one of the most awaited sporting events.

This year 32 teams divided into 8 groups (A-H) with each group comprising of four teams as under participated in the Tournament:

Group A: Brazil, Cameroon, Croatia and Mexico,

Group B: Australia, Chile, Holland and Spain,

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan,

Group D: Costa Rica, England, Italy and Uruguay,

Group E: Ecuador, france, Honduras and Switzerland,

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria,

Group G: Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA,

Group H: Algeria, Belgium, Russia and South Korea.

Winning their group matches, the following teams emerged for the round of 16 (pre-quarter finals) which is the knock-out stage of the Tournament:

Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Switzerland, Uruguay and USA.

The following teams qualified for the last eight (Quarter Finals):

Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, France, Germany and Netherlands.

The following teams are arrayed against each other for the Semi-finals:

Semi-final one – Brazil vs Germany (Match to be played at 01.30 Indian Standard Time – IST – on 09.07.14). The result: Germany beat Brazil 7-1 in a terribly one-sided match. We could'nt watch the second half, as there was a massive power outage in  Pune around that time.

Semi-final two – Argentina vs Netherlands Germany (Match to be played at 01.30 Indian Standard Time – IST – on 10.07.14). The result: During full time play & extra-time, neither side was able to score. In the decider by penalty kick-offs, Argentina won 4-2.

The Final was held at 00.30 Indian Standard Time – IST – on 14.07.14, between Argentina and Germany two Football playing power-houses.It was a fast moving, "no quarter asked for or given" (in battle "lingo") and finished with no score at the end of full time play. towards the end of the 30 minutes extra-time, Germany got their act together in a well-coordinated move on the Argentinian goal and scored a stunning goal which decided the World Cup in their favour.
Germany is now the World Cup 2014 champions.

My wife, Sumita & I watched most of the matches played , fortified with mugs of coffee, tomato chips, sandwiches etc. 

Mission of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil:

“Develop the Game, touch the World, build a better future”.

The Mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil:

The mascot is called “Fuleco” which is designed to play a key role in creating environmental awareness in keeping with the mission of this Tournament. Fuleco is a fusion of the two words “fotebal” and “ecologia”.

India Post Commemorative stamps:

India Post has brought out a set of four stamps and a miniature sheet depicting play on the field including a stamp on “Fuleco”. A First Day Cover (FDC) has also been issued.

If a Collector wants to buy a folder containing a miniature sheet of four stamps, four individual stamps, a brochure and a First Day Cover with cancelled Stamps, this set is available at a premium of Rs.325/- per set. The stamp-print quality has distortion in the prints when enlarged, however, it is a set worth keeping by Collectors. 

The front of the Commemorative folder depicting a stylized stadium and a football.

The back of the Commemorative folder containing details of the contents inside the folder.

The first page of the Folder has a jacket for keeping the Miniature sheet containing the four stamps and a separate jacket for keeping the four individual stamps.

The First Day cover showing a stylized Football on the left, players in action , the four stamps cancelled with the stamp marked “FIFA Vishwa Cup 2014” (in Hindi) and “2014 FIFA World Cup” (in English). The cancellation stamp is dated “12.06.2014, PUNE 411001”.

The four stamps contained in the miniature sheet, showing the FIFA World Cup Trophy on the bottom left which is also the Official Emblem and Official Mascot “Fuleco” of the 2014, FIFA World Cup Brazil. The Official emblem figures on all the four individual stamps and is marked” FIFA World Cup Brasil”.

One of the 2500 Paise (or Rs.25.00) stamps from the set placed individually.

One of the 500 Paise (or Rs.5.00) stamps, from the set placed individually.

The second of the 500 Paise (or Rs.5.00) stamps, from the set placed individually.

The second of the 2500 Paise (or Rs.25.00) stamps, from the set placed individually, showing “Fuleco”, the official mascot as the main focus of the stamp and the Official emblem on the bottom left.

                          The front face of the Information Brochure.

The other specifications of the stamps are as under:

Date of issue: 12.06.2014

Denomination: 500 paise (or Rs.5.00) and 2500 paise (or Rs.25.00), two stamps each of both denominations.

The Printing Process is wet off-set. The stamps have been printed by India Security Press, Nasik.

A total number of 0.9 million stamps each have been printed and 0.4 million Miniature sheets.

The stamps & FDC have been designed by Kamleshwar singh, while the cancellation stamp is the creation of Alka Sharma.

Also, I like the way in which India Post acknowledges the designers, creators of their stamps, most unlike the India Government Mints, which do not have a policy of releasing the designers/engravers names for the Collectors for posterity.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Anthem (Track 1 on “One Love, One rhythm”):

We are One (Ole Ola) Lyrics:

Brazil World Cup is Here!!

(Hook: sung by PitBull)

Put your flags up in the sky (put ‘em in the sky)

And then wave ‘em side to side (side to side)

Show the world ehere you’re from (show ‘em where you’re from)

Show the world we are one (one, love, life)

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola,

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola,

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola,

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola,

(Verse 1: Pitbull)

When the going gets tough

The tough get going

One love, one life, one world, one fight

Whole world, one night, one place, Brazil

Everybody put your flags in the sky and do what you feel

(Bridge: Pitbull)

It’s your world, my world, our world today

And we invite the whole world, whole world to play

It’s your world, my world, our world today

And we invite the whole world, whole world to play

Es mi mundo, tu mundo, el mundo de nosotros

Invitamos a todo el mundo a jugar con nosotros

(Hook: Pitbull)

Verse 2: (Jennifer Lopez)

One night, watch the world unite

Two sides, one fight, and a million eyes

Full heart’s gonna work so hard

Shoot, fall, the stars

Fists raised uo towards the sky

Tonight watch the world unite, world unite, world unite

For the fight, fight, fight, one night,

Watch the world unite

Two sides, one fight and a million eyes

Hey, hey, hey, forca, forca, come on sing with me

Hey, hey, hey allez, allez come shout it out with me

Hey, hey, hey, come on now

Hey, hey, hey, come on now

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

(Hook: Pitbull)

Pitbull & Claudia Leitte)

Verse 3: (Claudia Leitte)

E meu e seu

Hoje e tudo nosso

Quando eu chamo o mundo inteiro pra jogar e pra mostrar que eu posso

Torcer, chorar, sorrir, gritar

Nao importa o resultado, vamos extravasar

(Hook: Pitbull)

Singers: Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte

Produced by: Circuit, Dr.Luke & Thomas Troelsen.


Links: 

1) 100 Rouble Banknote commemorating Sochi, Russia, Winter Olympics 2014

2) Coins Commemorating Commonwealth Games in India & other Indsian Sports

3) 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative 5 Pound Commemorative Banknote issued by the Boyal Bank of Scotland

4) Coins Commemorating 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics

5) Limited Edition Gold & Silver coins issued on Sachin Tendulkar "World's Greatest Batsman" by the New Zealind Mint

6) Australia's greatest Cricketing Legend Sir Donald bradman honoured by issue of 5 Pound Austrailan coins by the Royal Australian Mint.

 Links:

1) Coins commemorating the Commonwealth Games in India & other Indian Sports

2) Coins commemorating London Olympics

3) 100 Rouble Banknote Commemorating the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014

4) A set of four stamps issued by India Post to commemorate the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil 2014

5) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote 

6) Limited Edition Gold & Silver coins issued on Sachin Tendulkar "World's Greatest Batsman" by the New Zealind Mint

7) Australia's greatest Cricketing Legend Sir Donald Bradman honoured by issue of 5 Pound Austrailan coins by the Royal Australian Mint.

8) Commemorative Coins issued on the occasion of Moscow Summer Olympics 1980 by the Russian Mint   


Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:

1) 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil - A set of four stamps issued by India Post.

2) Commemorative Stamps on "Swachh Bharat" Mission

3) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"

4) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"

5) International Day of Yoga - "Commemorative Stamps & Coins" 

6) India-France - 50 Years of Space Co-operation - Commemorative Stamps

7) Commemorative Stamps on 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of "Engineers India Limited"

8) Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala

9) Commemorative stamps issued on Nabakalabera (Jagannath Temple, Puri)

10) Commemorative stamps issued on an Indian Game called "Sagol Kangjei" originated in Manipur, from which Polo was adapted all over the World  

11) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India 

12) Women Empowerment - Commemorative Stamps

13) Baba Amte - Commemorative Stamps 

14) Did You Know Series (4): A sample of the beautiful stamps brought out by Department of Posts, India 

15) 10th World Hindi Conference held at Bhopal - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts India

16) 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Commemorative stamps issued by Department of Posts, India. 

17) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution" 

18) The "Charkha" or the Spinning Wheel: Commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India 

19) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

20) 50th Anniversary of the Border Security Force (BSF): Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

21) 3rd India- Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts, India 

22) Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

23) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.  

24) India-Singapore Joint issue: 50 Years of Bilateral Reationship: Two Commemorative Stamps issued by India-Post. 

25) Celebrating 60 years (Golden Jubilee) of EEPC India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

26) Centenary of the setting up of the Zoological Survey of India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

27) Celebrating Children's Day on November 14th - Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post. 

28) Musicians of India - Commemorating Classical Musicians of India by issue of Stamps by India Post. 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013: 

1) Commemorative Postage stamps on the "Wild Flowers of India" issued by India Post.

2) 100 Years of Indian cinema: 50 commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2011:

1) Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.100/- issued on Mahatma Gandhi on Khadi Cloth for the first time ever by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2010:

1) Princely states of Indore, Sirmoor, Bamra and Cochin : Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post
 
 Postage stamps from Thailand:
1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)  

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales

Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):

1) Forever Stamps: A Series of Stamps commemorating the "US Civil War 1861-1865"

Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey: 

1) "Man of Steel": A Superman movie. Jersey post stamps commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh who played Superman in the Movie 

Links to some other interesting posts on South American countries & Mexico:

1) The Travels of a silver Mexican Peso struck in 1898 and restruck in 1949 for the Chinese Government

2) Brazilian Currency: Brazilian Real

3) The 31st Summer Olympics 2015 or Rio-2016 - Brazil

4) Currency and Coinage of Guatemala

5) Currency and Coinage of the Republic of Chile (Part I)

6) Currency and Coinage of the Republic of Chile (Part II)

7) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part I)

8) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part II)

9) Currency and Coinage of Mexico - Pesos and Centavos (Part I)

10) Currency and Coinage of Mexico - Pesos and Centavos (Part II)

11) Evita or Eva Peron - A Commemorative/Circulating 100 Pesos Banknote issued on her in 2012

12) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part I)

13) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part II)

14) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part III)

15) 2014 FIFA World Cup held at Brazil