NERAZZURRI IN AFRICA – AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

The road to Cameroon begins in a downpour. As the cars whiz by, all of Cameroon’s problems become apparent. The day that is about to get underway is an important one. Travel within the African continent is problematic, even by plane. There are few connecting flights and they aren’t ideal. Very few people can afford the flights and this doesn’t help foster relations between countries which, although far away, have a lot to share. I see myself as one of the lucky ones all things considered. My trip to Yaoundé will take more than 24 hours via a stop in Nairobi and a stopover in Zambia.

It has been a privilege to take part in the training sessions held by both male and female coaches from Uganda, Angola and Cameroon. I will forever be grateful to both Inter Campus and the UEFA Foundation for giving me the opportunity to meet Africans in Africa, something which is so important. The importance of being able to relate our different experiences, our difficulties and, despite speaking different languages, our ability to understand one another perfectly. This is exactly what the project aims to achieve as well as giving the opportunity to learn from individuals who have a wealth of experience and talent, both male and female coaches who are involved in the project. We live in countries which have endless human resources available to them, resources which unfortunately are not harnessed enough. Even in African football there are few good coaches and the good ones work for the main hitters. To have the chance to meet and exchange ideas with others who are at the top of their game is a unique learning experience. No excuses. Sometimes in Africa certain opportunities come by once in a lifetime.

As I leave Cameroon I have at last understood something which I read some years ago, something which the great philosopher Achille Mbembe wrote:

“The future of humanity rests in our ability to live together.”

04.02.2022