‘Africans must develop African football’
If talented African football players leave their countries to play in foreign countries or leave this sport to find alternatives where they can earn a living, who then will develop local football? Abbas Sendyowa, is a committee member of the Pan African Confederation of African Football (CAF). “There is a problem of lack of interest from Africans themselves. Several Africans have a negative perception that English soccer is more entertaining than their local football, as a result this discourages local talents,” Sendowa contends. Africans must develop African football in the way they want it. This does not mean that it has to be on the standards of European soccer.” Sendyowa, who is also an official on the Federation of Ugandan Football Association, acknowledges that this remains hard to do. He further laments that several African football players love money instead of developing their talent.
Hope
Kabatereine Patrick, a radio presenter who has hosted sports programmes on Radio West, a radio station in Uganda, says there is still hope for Africa soccer. He says that if investors work together with African governments, they can help develop this sport.
He says Africa has many talented footballers but they only need support and grooming up to remain in African clubs. “A lot of European teams are relying on African talents, if such players were lured to stay in African clubs by giving them enough money, they would help to develop African football.” This he says can only be done by African governments and pan African investors. He encourages Africans countries to take an example of Uganda which has waived taxes on imported sports equipment to encourage development of sports in the country.
Lack of confidence
The feeling by several Ugandans and Africans in general that everything in Europe is superior and better than what is in their countries, has made them take football players like Christiano Ronaldo, Henry Thierry, John Terry, Ronaldinho as their football heroes. What happens to their local football players: they don’t care. People do not have confidence and trust in what they have. Lack of confidence and support in African football by Africans themselves is slowly killing this interesting sport on the continent. The disease killing it, is in the minds of its supporters.
Well lets find some solutions?
from africa news
Tags: African Football Is Dying
