It was a clash between experience and youthful exuberance yesterday 21st October 2016 at the L?E.A Primary School field Karatudu, Kaduna, when men and women
The football matches saw experience and exuberance come face to face when women aged 40 above tagged Team Victoria Kazah, clashed in a football encounter with women aged 40 below tagged team Ethel Ero-Philips. (Both women are Breast Cancer Survivors). In like manner, the men had Team Jerry Adams treading tackles with Team Emmanuel Gideon.
The women's encounter presented lots of drama and entertainment from start to finish as the ball kept rolling from one direction to the other with women of all sizes and shapes pursuing it. There were lots of funny falls and dangerous swings of legs that left other women spectators shreiking with exhilaration. The under 40s featured a lady who must have played professional football due to her sheer talent and firepower. But as the saying goes, a tree does not make a forest, all her effort only got blown in fruitless kicks by her teammates.
The female competition took a more entertaining dimension as the ball became like a handbag and trust women with handbags...they ran only to grab the ball and head towards the post. One spectator asked, were they playing rugby? The match ended in a one all draw but the older women took the day by their endurance and experience.
Then the men's clash followed which became the epic of the day. Earlier on, James Kanyip was seen drawing up a line up of the 40s above and in a Mourinho style of things, he was calm and calculative. The 40s above featured some eminent old tamers in the likes of Jerry Adams of the famous (Bashonshon Bombers) who was team captain, the gentle and brilliant Reuben Buhari who manned the post of the 40s above, and the silent dribbler Alex who combined skill and experience to shatter the defence of the young boys. Representing the Parish Priest of St. Monica Karatudu(MoreHill) Fr. Edward Sati was Rev. Fr. Vincent Tanko who also featured for the 40s above.
The under 40s on their part were full of raw energy and speed outrunning the older folks in an Ussain Bolt speed only to end the balls in the air away from the target. Yet, they slotted two early goals that sent shivers in the spines of the older folks but the coach was equal to the task. With a little change of one or two players, the 40s above equalized and were awarded a penalty to end the day in a 3-2 victory to the 40s above. A roadside commentator said 'anyi ma yaran pdp ne kawai.'
The younger team saw the likes of Midat Joe, Kazzahyetdikan Mousa Immanuel, Clement Dan Juma(of Manchester United, karatudu) and Emmanuel Gideon the
leader of the 40s below.
The two matches clearly brought out one thing very important that team work remains the best way to succeed in global efforts and local action against breast cancer.
The amiable and ever hopeful and courageous woman behind the initiative is the founder of KUNAK FOUNDATION Miss Nyan Bavo. Her foundation is aimed at Developing rural communities one village at a time. The event of yesterday was tagged KUNAK FOUNDATION PINK OCTOBER FOOTBALL.
Miss Bavo was full of smiles and obviously very happy with the turnout for the event. On the faces of many also were smiles of satisfaction that provided a sure relief in these harsh recession times. It was also an educable moment for many especially the writer of this piece who never knew that men too can have breast cancer.
*Fr. Shawuya is Deputy Director, Media Service Centre, kaduna.*
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