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Elaboration on topics of the SOS Ghana debate
January 2, 2008
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So 2008 is finally here, meaning several things: an extra day in February, the American people choose a new president, and only two more years until the next world cup in South Africa. In the meantime, Africa is gearing up for their Cup of Nations soccer tournament on the 20th of this month, but the festivities have already begun. So you’ve already read in one of our previous posts about the activities SOS Children’s Villages Ghana sponsored back in December, lets examine that a little more why don’t we… |
| Among other activities was a debate, comprised of children from 6 local schools there. The topics: how could soccer be used as a catalyst for peace and as a thoroughfare for the addressing of children’s social issues? I think Dr. Kojo Mattah, director of the SOS Village there, said it best. According to angelfmonline.com… |
 The motive behind the debate is therefore to portray football as not only about playing, singing and winning but rather to show that strength and powers of football can be used to address issues related to the rights and plights of children and the development and enhancement of peace. |
| Certainly, it’s possible, but positive competition must be promoted for it to work and that isn’t always the easiest thing. Its so much easier to kick dirt in your opponent’s face after a tough loss than to shake his hand like a man and look him in the eye and say “Good game”, isn’t it? It starts with good training and good teaching, on the field and in the classroom, one of the many things children educated in SOS villages come away with. |
| Now I honestly disagreed at first that soccer can be used to resolve social issues, but then it hit me: if we can get children to discuss with other children the problems that they face, slowly but surely an entire generation will understand. Thats not to say that current conflict won’t convince many that a life of violence is the only way to live, but the time for change is now and it must start with children. With a combination of promoting healthy competition and getting children to discuss issues with each other on and off the field, peace can come into sight at the end of this long road Africa has been travelling down for some time now. |
Topics: Africa |
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