Alright, I'm back after almost three months (too long) with lots of
stories waiting to be told/read.
Of all the interviews I've given so far, most people do not want to
tell their stories in English, simply because they are not too comfortable with
English but they know the language pretty well. This interviewee was the first
person who wanted to tell his story in English. I will use his direct quotes
throughout this post and translate the rest.
Instead of me asking him a question to get the interview started, he
simply asked if he could speak in English and then began to tell his story with
a combination of English and Marathi. Here is his story:
" I have now been with Slum Soccer for three years, both as a
player and coach. Slum Soccer has taught me a lot. When I first moved to this
area with my family, there was no football. The only sport that was played was
cricket so we all played that growing up here and I became interested in
cricket since then. You started seeing football played here in 2009. That's
when dada (a term for
older brother or older male) came to our school and encouraged us to play
football. Because football wasn't popular here yet, none of us knew anything
about this sport. There were only twenty of us playing on the field then. Dada
was very patient with us though and taught us everything about football. We
used to practice twice a day, once at 6 A.M. and then after school. Dada was a
role model for us to stay dedicated and keep working hard. We kept practicing
and started participating in tournaments as well. After he developed our
interest, we practiced for a year or so and then we competed at a local
tournament and one in our schools. After one more year, girls started to play
as well.
Our boys team is a top team and the girls team was the state winner.
Everyone is at the top. When I was a player I was a captain and encouraged the
team how dada used to
encourage us. The coach or dada told us later about Slum Soccer, then I started
to play and coach here. Dada taught me everything he knew about coaching. I
have participated in many football events. I have learned so much from
Slum Soccer.
I study as well as play. My family is surprisingly very supportive.
Between dada and my
family I am very well encouraged and supported. However, the other kids would
come with other complaints that their families wouldn't let them play. Dada then had to encourage them
a lot. Families sometimes have a problem with playing when scores (grades) are
not as high a expected. It doesn't matter how talented the players are; it is
all about the scores. There are some schools that give extra marks if a student
is involved in sports, but that doesn't matter without scores.
I think I've been able to become a role model for the new ones
especially because I study and play. I've developed communication and
encouragement skills. I initiated a leadership course here. After three years
with Slum Soccer, I have learned education and behavior- I have changed for the
better, as well as hygiene and cleanliness. On Women's Day we even
gave girls a chance to be involved on the planning side of things. Sir, dada's father, always
encourages us to study and play. He always used his experience in football and
studies. He also tells us about other news like politics.
As players we are very dedicated. If we don't have time in the day we
will come in early and coach or play. Slum Soccer isn't just about the
game. Though there may be a great player but one that is involved in drugs and
alcohol, that player wouldn't be picked for local or international tournaments.
Slum Soccer is about the behavior and not a person's game. Thankfully I have a
supportive family and am not here to survive, but because I love being here. My
family has "low drama" in my family. Thankfully I am at peace at home
and what's going on at home. If that wasn't the case, I don't know how I
would've focused here. My little brother and I used to play cricket. He
still plays now and I am into football now. It is great that both brothers
are into sports now."
