In Their Words: How Soccer Helps Rebuild In Areas of Conflict

An Interview With Set Future F.C.

Lacor, Gulu District, Uganda

Interview with Team Leaders: Mark Rashid, Komakech Jolly, Ochaka Christopher, and Kidega Andrew

Background: Gulu is a district in Northern Uganda, a region that for the past twenty-two years has been engaged in a brutal civil war that, until recently, terrorized the civilian population and sent many fleeing from their homes to Internally Displaced Persons’ camps. The rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) relied upon the abduction of children to staff their ranks, use as porters, and, in some cases, take as wives. Fortunately, peace talks are underway and many of the child soldiers have returned home. However the impact of the atrocities of war, particularly on the young population of districts like Gulu, will last for years to come.

Set Future F.C. is a youth-led soccer club in Lacor, a village 15 minutes outside of Gulu Town. All of the members of the club have been impacted in different ways by the violence that has plagued the region. In November 2007, Soccer Without Borders staff Kyle Hartman, Lauren Markham and Ben Gucciardi went to Lacor to facilitate an HIV/AIDS workshop and a soccer coaching clinic with the members of Set Future F.C. After the workshop, we conducted the following interview with the team leaders to learn more about them and to find out about the important role soccer plays in their lives.

SWB: Can you tell us a bit about the history of your team?

Set Future: We formed our team in 1996. It was formed for a few reasons. As a result of the war, the youth here have been disorganized and scattered all over. Soccer was a way of reuniting the community and the youth. Now, this group is involved in a lot of other trainings in addition to soccer. Since we are already organized, we are able to reach our communities and pass on other information that we receive. As a team, we see that few people here have gone to school, and many lack jobs. Instead of this idleness leading to negative acts like stealing, vagabondage and drug use, we use soccer to bring us together and find peace of heart. Set future as a team is a small team, but we are happy that we represent our community, Lacor. We are proud of our community involvement.

SWB: How many people participate in your soccer activities?

Set Future: We have a kids league, a junior team and a senior team. Both the junior teams and senior teams have a first 11 and a second 11. 24 children play for our kids team. Our junior team was 70, but because many have gone back to school, it is now 50. We have 65 playing on our senior team.

SWB: You could almost make a league!

Set Future: Yes!

SWB: You’ve talked about why you formed your team. But why football, in particular? What does football bring to your lives?

Mark Rashid: If a youth here is idle, he will think about destructive things from the past, like bombs. Football helps us to know and learn many things. Like meeting Soccer Without Borders. If I was doing destructive things, I couldn’t be here. Our reputation throughout the district is an advantage. Because the district targets youth for development, and because we are organized, the district comes to us to help give out information.

Ochaka Christopher: Since we initiated, I have learned a lot. Before the team, I thought maybe I was a fool. There was a lot I didn’t know. But through football, I learn things and see that I know things. I feel fit physically and mentally. I am encouraged by the international teams, like Manchester and Arsenal, that give me courage to keep playing and trying.Mark Rashid:This is true. Sports brings a lot of publicity. I can be recognized through sports, and reach destinations I didn’t expect.

Komakech Jolly:Yes, Football brings about things like adventures. When I play and shower and sit down to read, I understand more than if I sit all day. I have energy.

SWB: Why are sports important in post-conflict situations?

Mark Rashid: In post war zones like this, we often have post traumatic stress. Many have participated in atrocities, and can’t forget these things. They stay with them. But with football, people come together and share these experiences together. And then we can forget. Like the death of parents of children. When he goes to join a football team, he tends to forget the traumatic experience and can relax his mind.In a war-zone like this, there are many rumors among people, like who killed who. Football brings people together and can relax these rumors. In sport, we have time to participate in what’s happening now on the ground, not what’s happening before. Gulu district has the #1 growth of HIV/AIDS in the country. Football helps us bring positive activities to help this problem.

SWB: What was the best moment in the history of Set Future FC?

Mark Rashid: When we beat Goma [another district in Northern Uganda] last week. We won 3-0. They had the best record in the region and we beat them. We were very happy. Our community already feels very happy, more happy even than us!

SWB: What are Challenges that your team faces in achieving your goals? How do you overcome these challenges?

Mark Rashid: Transport when we are called to play at another center. Also, balls and uniforms. Our uniforms here were given by Alero [another town] FC. We beat them and this was our gift. We also have a problem with first aid kit. We are lacking a coach, like you people, to give us good skills. This is leading maybe to the slow progress of this club. People are going and coming for studies. We find, too, that we would like to get a sponsor. Our ball is borrowed—if the person decides to take it back, we can’t play.

Komakech Jolly: One problem we are forgetting is the field. It is not always well maintained. We have to struggle to maintain it for our own benefit—the district doesn’t help.

SWB: What are your future goals as a team?

Mark Rashid: To join the national superleague in Uganda. To register with the National Football Association of Uganda. This will get members access to national levels. This will also help us gain support. We want to be the leading club in the region, and to revive sports in the region to help and encourage others to start their own clubs and participate in sports.We all have different goals, but I see that academics is our main goal. But it can’t go without Football. Football just relaxes the mind and brings people together.