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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE January 30, 2006
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| January 15, 2006 |
Port Victoria, Seychelles – Peace Ball football kicks off in the Seychelles |
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| Players from Islanders F.C. and Peace Ball greet before the matches |
Call it football, soccer, calcio, balonpie, or simply the beautiful game - as it is known in Brazil – the most popular sport in the world can arguably be considered a universal way of communication. Played passionately by young and old in just about every corner of our globe, football is continually responsible for the development of friendships and ties among people and nations alike. In recent decades, its popularity in Japan has soared enormously. Partly fueled by the success of the 2002 World Cup, football has now surpassed baseball as the most popular spectator team sport in Japan and one of the most popular sports played by both genders. |
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| The field as seen from Peace Ball’s goal line |
Throughout each global voyage, Peace Boat participants are offered several opportunities to partake in friendly football matches with local peoples from various ports of call. These highly successful cultural exchanges provide both sides with a platform for swapping ideas and striking friendships. Peace Boat participants have affectionately coined the name Peace Ball for their team Usually, two matches are organized per exchange. The first one is a somewhat formal fixture where more experienced players from the Peace Ball team can test their skills against local talent. The second match meanwhile, tends to be a fun event where both sides mix players of all levels, age and gender. |
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| An Islanders F.C. player (right) makes a run towards goal |
During the visit to Port Victoria, capital of the archipelago republic of the Seychelles, Peace Ball faced Islanders F.C., an amateur team from the Aux Caps District in Mahe Island. This local community team is made up of players from of all walks of life ranging from 15 to 40 years old. But they have also developed a youth under-15 football school which currently has 26 students in its ranks. Several of these younger players joined in on the less formal match. Meanwhile, the first match saw a negative result for Peace Ball, as Islanders F.C. demonstrated its superior cohesion. |
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| Two players take a moment to thank each other after the match |
Roger Denousse, player and manager of Islanders F.C., expressed that everyone from the team felt extremely excited to face Peace Ball. Living in an isolated island where the economy is mostly fueled by agriculture, fishing, and tourists from Europe, ordinary residents lack opportunities to learn about the outside world. Several members mentioned that their principal knowledge of Japan involved the Atomic Bomb calamities during World War II, and hence had no idea what to expect of meeting their guests. On the contrary, Peace Boat participants were surprised to find such a friendly and ethnically diverse culture within such the stunningly beautiful setting of the Seychelles. |
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| Achan and Laura smile as a set of soccer balls are presented to the local team |
After the match, Islanders F.C. provided snacks and refreshments, which allowed some time to laugh about the missed opportunities and learn a bit about everyone involved. Also, Peace Boat participants presented their hosts with some Japanese traditional sweets and about a dozen new soccer balls as a gesture of appreciation. The morning concluded with a sizeable group composed of members from both sides going out for a meal, a swim in the beautiful turquoise beaches, and an unforgettable memory for all.
Peace Ball will also be participating in friendship matches during visits to Namibia, Brazil, Argentina, and Fiji. |
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