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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 28 2005 : 8:57:21 PM
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By Paul Fletcher
Football is a passion in Africa.
The G8 summit and the Live8 concert are bringing debt relief in Africa starkly into focus for people in the West.
But for millions of people in Africa, poverty is their daily reality - and for these the importance of the beautiful game cannot be underestimated.
Football has the power to create unity out of division, joy from sadness and bring welcome respite from a continent bursting with life but burdened by problems.
After Senegal reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup skipper Aliou Cisse reflected: "During the tournament our people lived through some wonderful times, despite the social, economic and political problems in our country.
"During the World Cup there were no more religious or ethnic problems, everyone was pulling in the same direction."
Months later Cisse lost 12 members of his family in the Joola ferry disaster that killed 1,000 people.
Football is a source of pleasure and entertainment for millions unable to indulge in leisure pursuits out of the financial reach of many in Africa.
On a recent visit to Africa, Sebastian Coe, the leader of Great Britain's bid to host the 2012 Olympics, was moved by the enthusiasm for the game.
Football really makes a lot of difference in Africa when it comes to political decisions
Abedi Pele
"To see 700 children playing football in the middle of a large patch of scrubland in Ghana - just watching them playing sport has been quite a sobering exercise." he said.
Ghanaian Abedi 'Pele' Ayew was one of the first African footballers to make his mark in Europe.
He came from a poor background but went on to win the European Cup with Marseille, and also played for the likes of Lille, Lyon, Torino and 1860 Munich.
Pele is in no doubt how much football matters in Africa.
"It is like a religion," he told BBC Sport. "It has a lot of power.
"Football really makes a lot of difference when it comes to political decisions.
"If you look at the really great African footballers - George Weah, Abide Pele, Roger Milla and Kalusha Bwalya - you can see how influential we are in our countries and the continent as a whole."
Pele was an attacking midfielder
Football is much more than pleasure in Africa - for the lucky few it is also an escape from the problems that holds millions across the continent within its grasp.
"Within the African continent you do not often see the children of doctors or politicians playing the game of football," said Pele.
"It is mainly people from the rural areas, from the small cities, from the less fortunate families.
"We who have succeeded from the same grass roots and the same poor areas must really put our influences back to the communities."
Pele, 40, set up a football academy seven years ago in the Ghanaian capital, Accra - building a small house where youngsters selected from the far-from corners of Ghana lodge.
Every year 10 to 15 children combine an academic education with football training under the watchful of Pele, a former attacking midfielder and recipient of Ghana's highest honour, the Order of Volta.
The team produced from the academy, FC Niana, have climbed through the leagues to reach the second tier of Ghanaian football.
Pele has bought 50 acres of land and is hoping to turn a long-term dream of his into reality.
Football is becoming more popular than ever
Abedi Pele
He has visions of a proper school, training pitches, a hotel and a 1,500-seater stadium.
But with funding limited Pele is hoping one of his youngsters is eventually sold to a wealthy Western club.
Nonetheless, it is a step in the right direction, an attempt to harness the abundance of raw talent.
Pele remains in no doubt that securing a transfer to Europe is the dream for the children he teaches.
"Football is becoming more popular than ever," he stated.
"Everybody notices how fast footballers are becoming prominent, they have power, the fame, the money and have the entire world within their hands."
Pele is not only a coach, he is an ambassador.
He will be in Scotland during the G8 summit to lobby on behalf of Africa, explaining the need for the Western powers to press ahead with the plan for debt relief.
But his very presence underlines the importance of football in Africa.
He is a man of great standing and reputation, he is trusted to speak on behalf of millions - and he is doing so because of what he achieved with a ball at his feet.
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Karl |
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The power of football in Africa
