Moving The Goalposts role model prepares for East Africa Cup 2012
Next week young sports role models from across the East African region will come together and transform the playing fields of Moshi into platforms for social change, as like-minded youth celebrate the impact sport has made in their lives and communities. This week long tournament of sport and life skills development is not a once-off collaboration, its a culmination of what young role models like Dama have achieved through sport and development programmes by lead organisations.
The impact EAC will have on the community
In Kang'amboni, in the Kilifi region, the impact of the Moving The Goalposts (MTG) programmes has brought more than just a girls football league to the community, it has started a trend of creating role models. Dama's coach, Mr Sanga, explains the impact her selection for EAC will have:
"We are very happy that Dama has been selected to go to the East Africa Cup. We believe that this will encourage other girls to also work hard and set goals in their life. Since our girls are playing in the MTG leagues, a lot has changed. The girls have become good football players and we have won the tournament!"
"It has also changed our community. Before MTG started its programme in our village, girls were idle during weekends and holidays. Now there are MTG activities, girls are busy, learn useful information and become leaders in their groups. This has really changed girls behaviour. There are less teenage pregnancies in our school and this is because MTG promotes leadership and education. Since one of the girls has won an award, the other girls follow her good example and the whole community benefits from the girls positive attitude."
The impact EAC will have on the players
"When I found out that I had been selected to represent MTG at the East Africa Cup in Moshi, I was so happy! My parents are so proud, because if it were not for football, I would never travel abroad," says Dama.
"My team and school mates are also happy for me that I got this opportunity and when I come back I want to share what I have learned with my friends," she continues.
"I'm also looking forward to meeting other girls from other countries in East Africa. I want to ask them how they live? What do they eat? Are they in school? If not, what are they doing? What are the challenges they face?"
The EAC will kick off on 25 June. Full coverage will be available on sportanddev.
About EAC
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