A Tough Way Out

In a country plagued by poverty, football is seen as a way out. It also is a false promise.

Such is the situation in Ivory Coast where civil conflict has shattered the economy and football academies for youth have become a growth industry.

This story in the Times Online captures the hope that football offers to children who are raised with little. The story is the same in poor communities all over the world. But for every Ronaldo or Kolo Touré who achieve fame and fortune there are hundreds of people who don’t.

Sadly, the way things are being set up in Ivory Coast there will be more than just failure to achieve on the football pitch. Without any education other than football, those who are not lucky or good enough to play in Europe will end up with few options in their adulthood.

The World Cup is a time of national pride and a time to marvel at the skills of some of the world’s greatest athletes. Young children throughout Ivory Coast will cheer on their heroes and dream about their own future football success. Let’s hope that while they glued to their televisions and radios that they also get a message that there is much more to life than football.