Deployment Journal: Soccer offers alternative to insurgency

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
HERAT, Afghanistan --  While outside the wire in Afghanistan, I often see barefooted children kicking around badly-worn soccer balls. Recently, I heard about a new $85,000 soccer (or what many countries call 'football') pitch opening in Khajeh Naw Village, Shindand District, Herat Province.

My good friend Eddie Bloom, Regional Command-West's U.S. Agency for International Development advisor, told me about the field and introduced me to his co-worker Behzad Roohi.

Through e-mail, Mr. Roohi made a compelling argument when he said, "Afghan youth and their needs sometimes get overlooked when this war-torn country prioritizes development initiatives, which could possible lead the affected youth towards insurgency, criminal activity or drug abuse."

Based on that pretense, USAID worked with coalition forces and went forward with the Khajeh Naw Village soccer pitch.

Now, local youth in Khajeh Naw are often seen wearing cleats and uniforms, and kicking actual soccer balls, all as a result of coalition efforts and USAID funds.

From a public affairs perspective, that's a pretty easy story to tell and certainly some people would be interested, whether or not they were soccer fans.

However, I had a somewhat unrealistic idea that if I could capture a professional footballer's perspective on the matter, then I could drastically add validity to the cause, while at the same time capitalizing on the player's name to spread the message far and wide.

I say unrealistic, because when I reached out to the L.A. Galaxy, D.C. United and every single premier league football club in England, I didn't expect an answer from any of them. Soccer season is in full swing and the clubs must be quite busy.

However, to my astonishment, the Wolverhampton Wanderers' press officer, John Hendley, answered my request and put me in contact with the Wolves' skipper, Jody Craddock.

In addition to being a leader of his team and key defender, Mr. Craddock has a wealth of soccer experience through his more than 500 professional appearances, and after finishing his 2009/2010 Wolves campaign as the second top scorer with five goals and 36 appearances.

Mr. Craddock said he believes that if a child focuses on the positive and more-enjoyable things in life, they're better suited to push through the chaos around them and have a better chance at a successful adult life.

"I can only imagine what it must be like for youngsters struggling to find ways of filling their leisure time in a country like Afghanistan," said Mr. Craddock. "To have the competitiveness, the fun, the fitness aspects and the enjoyment that football in the form of soccer youth programs can only help [Afghans] through what must be a very difficult stage out there."

I agree with Mr. Craddock that the current situation here is just a stage, and that many years from now the efforts underway currently will be mere lines in a history book.

I wish when that day comes, there are many opportunities for children in this land, whom currently don't have many.

"This gives fighting-age men a viable avenue to express themselves and have a sense of belonging," said Mr. Roohi. "The long-term effect is to develop team sports, which instill community, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and conflict resolution."

For the coalition, security must be obtained and sustained, and then progress can follow.

In this process, I'm certain we must continue to support the nation's youth, who will one day either support or oppose their government.

The soccer field in Khajeh Naw Village is one example of what can be accomplished in this country when the people support their government and oppose the insurgency.