World Cup strikes hope to eliminate racism, pave better tomorrow in war-torn lands

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  In living rooms, bars, pubs, cantinas, and nooks and crannies all around the world, people have been gathering to cheer on their nation or favorites as, match-by-match, the 2014 FIFA World Cup unfolds.

Commercials in dozens of languages show anti-racism messages and portray impoverished people overcoming life's adversities through a common sport - soccer, or more commonly known world-wide as football and fútbol.

Like most the planet, Afghan youth are narrowing insurgents' angles one pitch at a time as they attempt to slide tackle the hand they're dealt in life, with dreams for a country that one day may host the World Cup.

Realistically, that dream could be decades away, but with the help of coalition forces and U.S. Agency for International Development, many new football pitches have been erected in Afghanistan.

The realism is landscape-wise, Afghanistan isn't that much different than many parts of the United States. In fact, Western and Southern Afghanistan look very much like Southwest Idaho. Visually the only difference between the outskirts of Herat and areas within an hour's drive of Boise are technology, construction methods and materials, infrastructure and the imminent threat of violence from insurgents.

One USAID advisor hopes by establishing alternatives for Afghan youth, hope for a better tomorrow may be ignited in that war-torn land.

Reeling back to the FIFA World Cup commercials, isn't progress and hope the theme all the world is united on?

"Afghan youth and their needs sometimes get overlooked when this war-torn country prioritizes development initiatives, which could possibly lead the affected youth toward insurgency, criminal activity or drug abuse," said Behzad Roohi, USAID advisor, who oversaw the $85,000 construction of a new football pitch Shindand District, Herat Province.

Now, local youth in are often seen wearing cleats and uniforms, and kicking actual soccer balls, all as a result of initiative to give them something positive to do with their time, said Roohi.

Jody Craddock, Wolverhampton Wanderers, points the way in a Premier League fixture at his team's stadium, Molineux, in the Midlands, England. Craddock believes that if Afghan children focus on the positive and more-enjoyable things in life, they're better suited to push through the chaos around them and have a better chance at a successful adult life.
Jody Craddock points the way
England's Premier League professional footballer Jody Craddock, Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, believes if a child focuses on the positive and more-enjoyable things in life, they're better suited to push through the chaos around them and have a better chance at a successful adult life.

"I can only imagine what it must be like for youngsters struggling to find ways of filling their leisure time in a country like Afghanistan," said Craddock, who finished his 2009/2010 Wolves campaign as the second top scorer with five goals and 36 appearances.

Craddock was not on the 2014 England national team, which was eliminated in the group stage after losing to Italy, losing to Uruguay and drawing against Costa Rica. Still, Craddock has a long career in England with more than 500 professional appearances and said, "To have the competitiveness, the fun, the fitness aspects and the enjoyment that football in the form of soccer youth programs can only help [Afghans] through what must be a very difficult stage out there."

Anticipation is an overarching theme revolving around Afghan youth sports.

Provincial youth and sports leaders were present at the Shindand field inauguration, which Roohi described as, "an atmosphere of hope, optimism and pride."

Roohi wishes that pride will manifest itself in many of Afghanistan's youth.

"This gives fighting-age men a viable avenue to express themselves and have a sense of belonging," said Roohi. "The long-term effect is to develop team sports, which instills community, team work, leadership, problem solving and conflict resolution."

Though these attributes need to be fostered in Afghan youth, they're not qualities specific only to children there.

"Even in England I feel that sports, especially football, can offer a route away from potential trouble that youngsters might otherwise get involved in," said Craddock. "We have good facilities in this country but sometimes even that is not enough to alleviate the boredom that some of these youngsters feel, and that sometimes leads to them straying into the wrong circles."

Thinking about the situation in Afghanistan and other impoverished or at-war nations, Craddock empathizes with the youth.

"In less fortunate societies the problem can only be intensified because the facilities we can use [in England] are probably not available to them," he said.

Though the facilities in Afghanistan are far inferior to those in places like Europe or the U.S., efforts are underway to erect more sports fields in more areas.

"I wish that those behind the schemes in under-privileged countries [have] every success in their efforts to promote the game of football to the benefit of youngsters," said Craddock.

The World Cup is down to four final nations competing for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Germany, Netherlands or Argentina will win, and the host-nation Brazil can still place 3rd or 4th. Still, one thing is certain, with combined efforts and unity in sports like soccer, hope will continue to shine.

Is it possible that a nation like Afghanistan may one day host the World Cup?

Sure it is.

But for now security must be established before progress can follow. Through elimination of racism and a hope for a better tomorrow, anything is possible.

Soccer teams from Shindand District, Herat Province line up for the official inauguration of the Shindand District Sports Field. The field benefits about 150,000 Afghan youths, and gives them hope and leads them toward a life of dignity, with a sense of belonging.
Soccer teams from Shindand District line up for the official inauguration of the Shindand District Sports Field