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The 2010 World Cup is only four months away.
On a continent where soccer is a daily activity, played by all ages, and held high in the hearts and minds of all Africans, I cannot think of a better place for such a grand tournament to be hosted.
From the villages, to the townships, into the heart of the nation's capital, soccer is a daily activity.
Deep in the northern Namibian bush of Uukwaluudhi, the village in which I lived for over two years, soccer was a daily activity. Creativity thrived with the groups of children and the most important thing was never if they had an actual soccer ball to play with, rather the MOST important thing was the game itself.
Whether the ball was the size of a tennis ball, made of several wrapped plastic bags, or old rolled up socks, the game played on.
Mothers and grandmothers fought the children to take a breather from the game to complete their daily chores of herding livestock. All the boys wanted to do was play soccer.
Fields were abstract. Goal posts were wooden sticks gathered from the forest. Very few shoes were worn, and the idea of shin pads and green fields -well forget about it. Yet the passion and spirit for the game could not be broken.
Between classes, before and after school, in the mornings and afternoons, after a meal or while hungry, the kids found a way to play the game.
Where there is a will, there is a way and in that way there was purpose to be found.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa could perhaps be the most energetic, exciting places to host this international event. Thousands from around the globe will attend, celebrate, and mourn, the loss, or win, of their home teams.
African children will be kickin' a makeshift ball in the townships imagining they were Ronaldo playing in the large stadiums and being cheered on by thousands. They will be creating their own celebrity.
These children are inspiring and this is motivating.
If there is anything that shines upon the World Cup 2010, it's that it will continue to allow young African children to run with their imagination and create their own reality, inspired by the best soccer players in the world.
Be inspired by the World Cup's future stars and be inspired to be thankful for what you have, as you're never too old to quit imagining and creating. If you don't somebody else will!
To finding that something in your life that brings you zest and passion for life, http://www.traveltheworldlikeme.com.
Jeremiah Allen is a professional travel writer and adventure travel and safari consultant. You can find him at http://www.traveltheworldlikeme.com.
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