Shattered Dreams

I read an interesting article at the Star yesterday. Many people have heard about stuff like illegal maid agencies or work agencies that sees thousands of illegal immigrants flocking from the less developed countries to the perceived greener pastures. Now, it seems that another form of "gold" has been found in Africa, it's called football. Especially in the 21st century, African players are in demand and they are getting more limelight in media. Probably around 10 to 15 years ago, in the 90s, only a few African players were recognisable in the English Premier League but in the 2000s, the list balloons to many with some of them becoming major superstars. People are starting to get interested in the African Nations Cup plus more African countries are being respected as major footballing teams with new entrants like Ghana and Ivory Coast.

African players like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah are national heroes in their respective countries. Their wealth and lifestyle are the dreams that are beyond the imagination of many of the Africans. Drogba and Essien's earnings might even constitute a sizeable chunk of their countries' GDP. With that, came thousands of hopeful boys who hoped that perhaps one of the European scouts may spot their inner talent. Families are willing to give up every ounce of their possession just to aid the supposed "gem" in their family with expectation that its an investment for a skip from poverty to luxury. It is against this backdrop that certain individuals (and it's increasing) see the opportunity for money making and using methods that are not far off from the human smugglers in Indochina. This is probably the first time I'm hearing it, illegal football academies with dubious coaches are popping up quickly. In the end, many of the boys who are promised that they will play for AC Milan or Real Madrid ended up in the rubbish alleys or jailhouses of Italy or Spain. For these boys, as the writer has mentioned, football agents are not what they need in their growing up years, it is their family and parents.