Football's aid to Africa
Friday 22 September 2006
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Paul Gascogine and Ray Clemence on the FA's Meridian trip to Botswana (©FA)
England's Football Association (FA) has been one of the strongest supporters of the UEFA-CAF Meridian Project over the last decade, and former internationals Paul Gascoigne and Ray Clemence were part of a recent FA trip to Botswana that summed up what the Euro-African assistance scheme is trying to achieve.
Meridian project
The Meridian agreement was signed in 1997 to promote the exchange of cultures between European and African football. This has included not only the biennial UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup tournament, but also the twinning of European national associations with their African counterparts. The FA themselves aid a large number of federations in the continent, and in the Meridian Project they are partnered with Botswana, Lesotho and Malawi, focusing primarily on providing assistance in the fields of referee instruction, technical development and football administration as well as donations of kit and equipment.
I really enjoyed it. It was good to be out there, playing football, seeing kids enjoying themselves and getting the message across about HIV
Paul Gascoigne
FA assistance
This visit to Botswana, however, was to promote the FA's international outreach programme and specifically its work in football to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS. And it proved a success. Gascoigne explained: "I really enjoyed it. It was good to be out there, playing football, seeing kids enjoying themselves and getting the message across about HIV because a lot of the population have died or been affected and a lot of kids left homeless. I've learned a hell of a lot more than I knew before about HIV. Football is the biggest sport in the world and if we can keep these kids interested in playing football and learning about HIV at the same time and things like using condoms then Botswana will get better."
Emotional stop
First stop was the Tlokweng SOS Children's Village near the Botswanan capital Gaborone, which provides homes for around 200 abandoned or orphaned children of all ages. "It was heart-warming really," Gascoigne said. "Some of the stories we heard were very sad but the work of the FA and with the likes of Ray and myself being here, it really seemed to help. They got lots of kit from the FA and they were over the moon. It was amazing to see them all happy and cheerful, there didn't seem to be one sad face which was incredible. You can see all the good work and what they are trying to achieve here."
Hospital visit
Day two of the trip included a visit to Gaborone Hospital where doctors explained the extensive work that is being done to combat the AIDS pandemic which has stricken the country. Botswana is among the countries hardest hit by AIDS. In 2005 there were an estimated 270,000 people living with HIV - around a quarter of the population. Life expectancy is less than 40 years and an estimated 120,000 children have lost at least one parent to the epidemic.
AIDS awareness
Botswana was the first African country to aim to provide antiretroviral therapy to all its citizens. Clemence, now goalkeeping coach for England's national team, said: "I was able to meet a local man who has HIV and has been campaigning for many years to raise awareness and fight against the stigma attached to AIDS. He was an incredibly inspiring man who has had to fight against many prejudices. It was a very humbling experience to meet him and to talk to the medical staff and patients, especially the little ones."
Training session
The tour concluded with a training session for Botswana's most promising young footballers at the National Stadium. Gascoigne and Clemence joined in a variety of games, all designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Gascoigne, who twice reached major tournament semi-finals with England, declared: "The talent they've got is unbelievable. They've all got tricks and skills and they were very quick as well. The messages that were being put across in the games were fantastic and to see them all really enjoying themselves was an incredible experience."
Commitment
With trips such as this, the FA's International Relations Strategy aims to use the power of football to build a better future. "Football is truly a global sport," said FA chairman Geoff Thompson. "The FA is committed to playing a role, extending a helping hand and building solid links around the world." The Meridian Project reflects the commitment of UEFA's members to that goal. The next UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Barcelona next February, which for the first time will feature two challenge games between select Under-18 teams representing Europe and Africa, will underline that further.
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