How can African schools support academics without relying on sports?
In 2010, Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller traveled to Africa in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and investigated the influence soccer has had on millions of its inhabitants in “Soccer’s Lost Boys,” including the increasing number of unlicensed agents and black market trading flourishing alongside legitimate soccer opportunities. One of the most prominent positive stories to thrive even after the games ends was FIFA’s official “20 Centers for 2010” Football For Hope campaign. The goal was to partner with 20 centers dedicated to developing sustainable programs that educate and uplift youths in various African countries.
Kenya’s center in Nairobi drew headlines in April when the Chinese company Yingli Green Energy Holding Company supplied flood lights powered by solar panels for the soccer field in Nairobi’s Mathare slums. Adding lights allows young kids and teens to spend a few more hours in a safe environment rather than braving Mathare’s dangerous streets.
Since the Mathare stadium is also “the only Kenyan sports facility outside of Nairobi with flood lights,” according to AFP, other organizations have asked to use the field. Renting the space will hopefully continue to bring in revenue for the facility’s educational programs and drills, but with soccer shutdowns happening in countries like Egypt due to violent conflicts, the question now becomes what to do if using soccer is no longer the easiest way to engage young African citizens.
What do you think? Have you heard of other major African organizations that provide aid and education to young children and teens? Can you name other initiatives geared towards sustainable education and safe youth outlets? How can organizations reach out to communities in need as the spotlight on soccer in Africa fades?
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kitteneater
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You just answered your own question. How do they support academics without relying on sports? Support academics without relying on sports. D: Instead of buying floodlights, buy books and chalk.
- 1 year ago
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kitteneater
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totally_dilapidated
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the physical is integral to the mental
the mind and body are a whole
school studies and school sport complete a whole
one should not precede the other
and both are necessaryif pursuit of the mind can support sport
then that is the systemif pursuit of sport can support mind
then that is the systemare you suggesting changing the order of a particular system?
fine
do it... - 1 year ago
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totally_dilapidated
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tverdell
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IMO, African American athletes could take leadership on this cause.
They have the money, celebrity and could be great role models for these kids.
- 1 year ago
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tverdell
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Simone_Castillo
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WTF is an "African" school?
- 1 year ago
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Simone_Castillo
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HSouixZ
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Simone_Castillo:
An African school is a school that is located in Africa...much like an American school is located in the USA, and an English school is located in England.
See below.....
In 2010, Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller traveled to Africa in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and investigated the influence soccer has had on millions of its inhabitants in “Soccer’s Lost Boys,” including the increasing number of unlicensed agents and black market trading flourishing alongside legitimate soccer opportunities.
Africans...people of the continent of Africa would go to that African school. People of North America might be going to an American school or a Canadian school, and people in Europe might be going to an English school in England. Seems rather simple, doesn't it. Sometimes it's not all about you. It's above you. It transcends you. It's about Africans...not just from Africa, but actually living in Africa...imagine that, 'eh?
- 1 year ago
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HSouixZ
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- VANGUARD
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