By Anna Kevin and Emilia Sten Photos by Edward Sixtus Busungu (Originally published on May 18, 2014)
The cooperation between Real Kids FC and Art in Tanzania started in 2001, and now it was time for them to get new clothes. Real Kids FC is a football club in Zanzibar. The club consists of two teams: the junior league and the central league. The Junior League is for 8-13-year-olds, and the Central League is for 16-20-year-olds. The younger team consists of 37 players, while the older team has 25. The players are committed; they practice every weekday and have games almost every weekend. Since 2011, the Central team has been playing in the ZFA Central League, the “national league” of Zanzibar. The road hasn’t been easy for the Real Kids FC. They didn’t have much initially, but since the coach, Salum Ahmed Mahadh, knocked on Edward’s door, they now have many more resources.
Edward Sixtus Busungu is the manager of Art in Tanzania on Zanzibar, and he puts his whole heart into helping the team. He has spread the word of the team in the aim of getting as much support as possible. Donated footballs have arrived even from England. Last Saturday, the team received brand-new football clothes from Art in Tanzania. The clothes were designed and made by Detroit Sober House, one of Art in Tanzania’s community development projects. The team now resembles a professional one, which may take them one step closer to their dream – to be part of Tanzania’s national team.
