street football in africa

In many districts of south America, youths and children gather to live their dream of playing big one day. They often gather for the love of the game, fun and
entertainment, show their skills and go home, in Africa it is different.
Their is a strong sentimental attachment to the club one supports. Be it in the
Premiership, LaLiga, Seria A, etc. Names are given to sets of 4 or more players, who compete with another side to win the game. There is little or no officiating, as only the gravest offenses are cautioned. Interesting aspects of a typical encounter, includes the manner sides are chosen, and players shared or selected.

Sometimes the games go with betting. Each player puts in a small amount of money
to assert that his side shall win. The purse is then handed over to a neutral party. The match as it is commonly called, then starts. Duration varies but is normal to end after every 20 minutes. The victorious side wins the purse, and distributes the money among her players, the holder may also collect a commission!.

African children and youths, even students are not left out of the global fans
syndrome, it is normal to witness loud arguments in street corners, and match
viewing centres between a couple of youths, You'd be surprised to learn that the
topic was some English Premiership related topic. Some possess an incredible
knowledge of football history and can go back with detailed analysis of events in the world of football as far back as you want to know, this is indeed spectacular.

Viewing matches is made easier by several viewing centres that provide the service
for a fee. Youths throng these places to watch live matches from all over the world. The viewing centres are mostly owned and operated by the youths who see an opportunity in the business. These services are made possible with special
Cable/Satellite receiver dishes and decoders mounted on the rooftops.

Some also have earned themselves a name. In most neighborhoods, names such as
E'too, Raul, Walcott etc are rampant. This is both a status thing and an indication that the person concerned is football friendly. The match viewing centres are also dubbed names after known stadia in England etc, San Siro, Goodison Park, Old Trafford.

In the future where things are better placed to favour the civic interest of the youth, one may suggest that such institutions as are responsible for youth development and welfare can consider the task of creating crime free neighborhoods, by encouraging activities that keep youths engaged. Match viewing centres should receive upgrading.Government may also organize mini tournaments, to sustain the drive of these class of indegenes of the society. A happy youth, is one friendly with the society that supports his interests.

The bigger picture may involve Premiership based Clubs bringing their pre season
tours to Africa. When Manchester United visited Nigeria on a 2008 summer pre
season tour, the rave only was enough for local stations to make enough income to
last them several months. The average football youth who witnessed them play
against local teams, were trilled by the opportunity of watching their teams play live!.

More pre season tours should come to Africa, boost footballing in the continent. The Stars of African origin that play in England were the products of street football. What can they do to help?

It stands to reason that the youths of Africa need a better future. In a land plagued by poverty, disease and unsecured livelihood and mismanagement of scarce resources by the authorities, one should look more on to ways to avail himself a better living. By exploiting talents and skills, assuming the opportunity, is created, one can go a long way in making a sustainable living through sports.

International, Regional and Stakeholder groups are strongly invited to look in this
direction, with regard to the efforts at finding a better solution to life for man,in Africa.