by Mary Wykstra

In 2008, two organizations proposed to engage the Salama community in competitive sports in the name of conservation. It is well documented that youth and community involvement in sports builds morale in individual participants and engages participants in a “team” mentality. Improving team work on the playing field also improves co-opreation through networking.

'Sporting Conservation' proposed to involve us in a two-day, 40-team event in Nairobi playing 7-aside football (soccer for American readers). At the same, Eco-Sys Action also began efforts to involve us in an International Conservation Football Cup, involving the European teams in raising funds and awareness about conservation efforts and encouraging local teams to play simultaneous with the international team. Both groups sent representatives to meet with interested people in the Salama area. While the logistical details of the tournaments are still underway... the Salama teams have stepped up to the football.

Groups of young men have organized themselves in to teams, some were already competing while other new ones were formed. Ladies groups in several communities began practicing both football and volleyball and organizing their own scrimmages. These teams are ready to go!

Visit Eco-Sys Action - http://www.ecosysfun.com/cheetah.html
Sporting Conservation - http://www.sportingconservation.org/sporting/
Tand’Afrika - www.tandafrika.com