Thirty young football players from middle and secondary schools in 13 countries played and trained in the United States in June 2006, and then went on to Germany to observe the World Cup tournament. The two-week trip was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Major League Soccer (MLS), and World Learning, a nonprofit group devoted to international exchanges. Players from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bolivia, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Uganda, and Uzbekistan participated in the exchange.
One year later, a few of the young players talked to eJournal USA about how the trip continues to influence their lives today.
For further information about athletic exchanges, see http://www.exchanges.state.gov/intlathletics/diplomacy.htm. |
The soccer training developed my career so that I can train hard to play for my country in the World Cup 2010.
—Henry, Uganda
Meeting with a diverse group from various countries and staying together for a while taught me a lot of things. I think it made me international, the knowledge I gain.
— Philip, Nigeria
I met many friends. My best friend was Tarek from Lebanon. I was staying with him in the same room. … He was like my brother. He was a Muslim, I was a Christian. … He was telling me every day to not sleep without praying … so I liked him very much.
— Henry, Uganda
I learned a lot from the trip, and the most important in my view is the "sports man spirit." To be a best player and to win the game, you have to concentrate on your game and play with hope, positive thinking, and mental toughness. This is the skill that I learned from the coaching I received in the United States.
— Basir, Pakistan
Being with many people from different countries … has helped me very much to gain confidence. I can manage to live with them, make friends with them, practice with them, share with them.
— Memory, Uganda |
 
 
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