By Racquel Hudson – Art in Tanzania internship
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that few other things do. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope, whereas once, there was only despair. It is more powerful than the government in breaking racial barriers.” – Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela’s quote accurately captures the impact that sports have on individuals and groups worldwide. Mandela emphasises how sports can bridge the divide between people and cultures, inspiring them to unite. Sports enable people to form bonds and establish relationships that would not have occurred in any other setting. It is a form of communication that encourages people to express themselves through play. Essentially, in most countries, sport is not entirely competition-based. Instead, they are portrayed as an activity where people can get out to exercise and have fun. There is less pressure on winning and more pressure on the expectation that people communicate and express themselves with those around them.
In terms of children, sports help bring them out of their comfort zone and bring them great joy. It is not always necessarily about competition, rather it is how it can make you grow and benefit as an individual. Sports are for people of all ages and backgrounds, which provides more structure for unity than any other method. It’s all about what you like to do, who you engage with, and how much you’re willing to explore your options and try things you didn’t expect to do.
Furthermore, sports are an essential source of socialisation and social integration, informing young people and furthering their development. Social interaction through team sports teaches young people to associate with their friends, solve and prevent conflicts, communicate effectively, and socialise more effectively with their teammates. Whether it is the friends you bring or the people seated next to you, sporting events bring people together. Perhaps the common interest of the different teams starts the conversation. Whatever the reason, if you talk to any sports fan, you will hear a story or two about mid-game encounters with interesting people.
For instance, sports in South Africa are primarily segregated along ethnic lines. In South Africa, sports are treated as a national religion, a unifying force that transcends language and race, helping to unify the entire country. The focus of sports is primarily to create an active and winning nation. It focuses on providing numerous opportunities for Africans to celebrate in sports while instilling national values.
Especially football(soccer), without a doubt, is one of the most popular sports admired by most Africans. Football is an exciting game with origins dating back to the 1800s, when British, French, and Portuguese colonists introduced the sport to Africa. Football requires minimal resources, unlike other sports, and has therefore penetrated every part of Africa. Many African footballers had to overcome significant obstacles, including poverty, before achieving the fame and success they are now associated with. Football talent in Africa often begins at the grassroots level, so many football stars come from humble beginnings.
Fredrick Odhiambo, also known as Abedi, was born in Kisumu, Kenya. He grew up in the poorest neighbourhood out of Manyatta. Like many people from that area, life was not easy. To Fredrick and other fellow African athletes, football is everything. It is not only something to keep them busy and out of trouble, but also a chance at a better life—a way out of poverty. Abedi fell in love with football at the age of ten and quickly established himself as a leader, playing centre-back. He once said, “Growing up in the slums, if I didn’t play football, I would have never gone to school.” He grew up in a family of seven kids, where his parents could not afford to take them to school. One evening, he went out to play on the football field; some high school coaches noticed his talents and agreed to cover his schooling expenses. He could attend school, whereas thousands in his village were not as lucky. Abedi’s journey growing up as a child led him to create a program and organisation for people like himself, allowing them to be included and engage positively as children.
On another account, Yaya Touré grew up with similar hardships as Abedi and used football as an outlet to overcome them. Growing up with his four other siblings and both parents, Yaya Touré often tried to normalise his childhood experiences whenever he spoke about them, but he grew up poor. Toure said, ” I did not have football boots until he was ten because his parents could not afford them.” However, his boots later served him as he impressed the coaches at the Asec Mimosas academy. He earned himself a move to Europe with Dutch club Waasland Beveren. That move served as a springboard, opening new opportunities at European clubs such as Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, Monaco, Barcelona, and Manchester City. Yaya Touré had a long and distinguished career that saw him win two La Liga titles, one Champions League, one Copa del Rey, three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one Nations Cup, and many other accolades. It’s safe to say that he made up for all his childhood struggles. He is a four-time African Footballer of the Year award winner and is consistently in the discussion of the most notable African footballers.
Athlete development is a continuous process. It begins when an athlete first engages in a sport and continues until the athlete withdraws from the sport itself. Various stages of learning outline the distinct phases that an athlete undergoes to acquire new skills and techniques. Youth athletes are among some of the hardest-working people all across the world. Many factors contribute to their success. However, athletes at all levels have their motivation and will that push them to strive for greatness. We all face obstacles and hardships along the way, yet the process, the hope, and the unity we experience in the sport of football shape us along the way. Sport has the power to inspire.
