While some of the world’s attention has been placed in the Southern African Country called Zimbabwe, there has been some good news in the sports world [especially football or soccer] in another Southern African Country called Lesotho. For those who do not know the country of Lesotho, it is a tiny country completely surrounded by South Africa. Lesotho is also the place where Fabio Capello is planning to visit starting on the 15^th of April 2008 accompanied by Ray

Clemence. Fabio Capello is the current coach of the English National Team. Ray Clemence was the former goalkeeping coach for the English National Team.

 

Capello and Clemence are going to Lesotho with the intention of helping the English Football Association and FIFA promote football in the areas of Southern Africa. One of the ways to promote football is to support the Football Associations of Malawi, Lesotho, and Botswana with the establishment of football facilities in local communities and offer to conduct a training session for children and the local school children. On the 16^th of April 2008, Capello and Clemence will be

observing a football [soccer] festival called Kick 4 Life.

 

For those who do not know what Kick 4 Life is, it is a day long football [soccer] festival and a charity. The purpose of Kick 4 Life is to use football [soccer] as a vehicle to fight poverty and AIDS in countries and areas that have been affected by AIDS, especially in the poorest countries. Kick 4 Life has done more for the poorest areas of the world than the politicians who have talked about combating poverty without actually doing enough.

 

The English FA deserves all of the praise in the world for taking an active role in the dissemination of football [soccer] as an alternative to poverty and misery. It is these acts of charity that have endeared people to football [soccer]. It is also great to hear some good news coming from Africa even though Darfur and other areas such as Zimbabwe receive their dose of publicity. The English FA [including Capello and Clemence] as well as FIFA deserve praise for their act of charity for the people of the area of Southern Africa. It is hoped that one day, the English FA could include the Football Associations of Swaziland, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in their mission of mercy for combating poverty through football.

 

REFERENCE:

BBC Sport: “England Manager in Lesotho Visit”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7347045.stm