All eyes on the octopus

While many are calling it a ‘psychic’ creature and are still astonished over its ‘powers’, others have called it a conspiracy of the bookies.I went to the extent of hearing far-fetched theories such as the entire teams being bribed with millions of dollars to go along with the octopus’s prediction so that bookies could make their share of billions!

The Fifa world cup has ended with a bang. As always, there was plenty of drama, tears, joy and action… along with a fair share of conspiracy theories and side stories. The most famous of course involves Paul – the octopus who had a 100 per cent prediction record this time. (It had an 86 per cent record in the Euro2008).

While many are calling it a ‘psychic’ creature and are still astonished over its ‘powers’, others have called it a conspiracy of the bookies. There has been much talk that the mussels fed to the octopus had a certain scent in them, which attracted it towards the German flag.

Some also say that the octopus simply happens to like the colours on the Germany flag (Note: Spain and Germany both have red and yellow in their flag) and the owners of Paul – the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Berlin – cashed in on this.

I went to the extent of hearing far-fetched theories such as the entire teams being bribed with millions of dollars to go along with the octopus’s prediction so that bookies could make their share of billions!

Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure: Billions of dollars were actually at stake during the world cup. There is a complete mafia out there who ‘earn’ their bread betting. Gold prices recently declined sharply as bookies and investors alike shifted tracks towards the games to bet on them rather than shares/commodities/money markets.

I know many people in Pakistan who had their stakes on different teams. Dreaming to being rich overnight, some even placed entire savings – which of course was very stupid of them. But the addiction is just so bad.

I don’t know if putting so much on the line is the best thing to do.

That said, I am, however, interested in kidnapping – or shall I say octopusnapping – Paul to find out a loooooot of things regarding my own future.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2010.