Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Mr. Chifundo Chibaka
Having spent a great deal of life in the city, I always thought most of the information I easily had access to, a person from a rural area would find a way to get the very same information, but boy was I wrong.
After COVID-19 was declared a global threat almost all social-economic as well as entertainment activities were put on hold. This was to contain the spread of the virus by minimizing social gatherings. As a football (soccer) fan, I was saddened by the suspension of major football leagues across the world and it was a relief when football-governing bodies announced the lift on the suspension. I was excited to see my team, Liverpool, back in action and winning the English Premier League (EPL). I recall having a conversation with a friend and the conversation went like this.
Me: I am so excited the games are back. I cannot wait to see Sadio Mane and Mo Salah back in action
Kamphongo: Who is Sadio Mane and Mo Salah?
I was surprised because this friend is a local football player and I expected him to at least know or have heard about these players.
Me: You are kidding right? Are you telling me that you do not know about these African football players?
He shook his head, indicating that he never heard of them.
Me: Which African football player do you know who plays in the EPL?
Kamphongo: Didier Drogba
My jaw dropped in total disbelief. This was a player whose last feature in the EPL was 2015 and has retired long since. He further told me that the last World Cup he heard of was the one that took place in South Africa in 2010.
Then it hit me, what other information do these people miss? How about in these COVID-19 times, what do they know about the virus? Are they aware of the prevention measures? I was indeed on the other side of the world.
Having spent a great deal of life in the city, I always thought most of the information I easily had access to, a person from a rural area would find a way to get the very same information, but boy was I wrong.
After COVID-19 was declared a global threat almost all social-economic as well as entertainment activities were put on hold. This was to contain the spread of the virus by minimizing social gatherings. As a football (soccer) fan, I was saddened by the suspension of major football leagues across the world and it was a relief when football-governing bodies announced the lift on the suspension. I was excited to see my team, Liverpool, back in action and winning the English Premier League (EPL). I recall having a conversation with a friend and the conversation went like this.
Me: I am so excited the games are back. I cannot wait to see Sadio Mane and Mo Salah back in action
Kamphongo: Who is Sadio Mane and Mo Salah?
I was surprised because this friend is a local football player and I expected him to at least know or have heard about these players.
Me: You are kidding right? Are you telling me that you do not know about these African football players?
He shook his head, indicating that he never heard of them.
Me: Which African football player do you know who plays in the EPL?
Kamphongo: Didier Drogba
My jaw dropped in total disbelief. This was a player whose last feature in the EPL was 2015 and has retired long since. He further told me that the last World Cup he heard of was the one that took place in South Africa in 2010.
Then it hit me, what other information do these people miss? How about in these COVID-19 times, what do they know about the virus? Are they aware of the prevention measures? I was indeed on the other side of the world.
Community members enjoying a local football match on a weekend.
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